VIA Technologies EPIA SN-Series Specifications download pdf (Page 13)

Introduction

Chapter 1. Introduction

Since 2003, the Microsatellite Laboratory of II Faculty of Engineering of the

University of Bologna has been involved in the design and realization of small satellite

missions based on the ALMASat multipurpose platform. After the realization of the first

microsatellite, ALMASat-1, it is currently under development a second Earth observation

mission, named ALMASat-EO. Goal of this second mission is the acquisition of mid-

resolution Earth images (in the visible band) of the Italian territory.

Besides the modification of the original ALMASat-1 bus, an entirely new optical

payload has to be assembled to achieve all mission requirements. The AMSC is a novel

concept of digital multispectral camera, based on the use of an LCD tunable filter instead

of a traditional filter wheel. This payload implies the use of new electronic architectures

that must ensure sufficient computational power to enable onboard image processing

(image compression and geographical tagging). Effect of all these new features is a longer

development phase and the need of specific tests necessary to reach an high reliability

level, compatible with typical space operations.

In order to perform both functional and radiometric tests, in an environment similar to

that in which the AMSC will operate, an aerial platform will be used. This solution, that

has several advantages, because of its complexity resulted in a completely independent

project, with more specific requirements compared to being just a test bed for ALMASat-

EO sensor.

FASTER stands for Fully Automated SysTem for Environmental monitoRing and this

acronym resumes the enhanced functionality given to the original test platform. The

project is jointly carried out together with the Flight Mechanics Laboratory of the II

Faculty of Engineering. Aim of the project is the realization of a compact, direct

georeferencing system capable to acquire very high resolution images in different bands

of the electromagnetic spectrum suitable to be mounted on very light aircraft platforms.

One of the most challenging objective to achieve is make a system which is independent

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VIA Technologies EPIA SN-Series Specifications Page 13