Innovative projects are sought in the areas of basic research, fundamental research, applied research, development and systems and other concept formulation studies. Projects combining both science and technology are encouraged.
The JPL Director created the Research and Technology Development (R&TD) program for the purpose of enhancing JPL's ability to address future missions and objectives and to propel JPL into new research leadership roles. The program will support research in areas consistent with JPL's strategic direction and long-term vision.
","parentProgram":{"ableToSelect":false,"acronym":"IRAD","isActive":true,"programId":87,"responsibleMd":{"canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":""},"title":"Center Independent Research & Development","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"IRAD"},"parentProgramId":87,"programId":154,"responsibleMd":{"organizationId":4910,"organizationName":"Mission Support Directorate","acronym":"MSD","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdOffice":4910,"title":"Center Independent Research & Development: JPL IRAD","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"JPL IRAD"},"acronym":"mAPIC","description":"A high-resolution imaging system which simultaneously takes images of target and star field with two-axis control capability, allowing rapid target imaging with extremely precise pointing knowledge. Such imaging data can accurately measure the geophysical property and high-resolution topography of target objects.
Mini-Advanced Pointing Imaging Camera (mAPIC) is an imaging system with a high-resolution narrow-angle camera and an independent star camera configured into an approximately 2-U configuration. The system would provide important unique science return via the ability to simultaneously take the images of target body and star field, allowing high-resolution surface imaging with accurate pointing information. The two-axis control capability would dramatically reduce the operational load of remote sensing, and its compact size makes it ideal to be integrated into, but not limited to, small satellites. The combined functionalities of mAPIC would offer powerful gravity science and optical navigation capability that would significantly enhance spacecraft orbit reconstruction and prediction accuracy, and thus, enhance the quality of science products and reduce mission operations cost.
","benefits":"A high-resolution imaging system with accurate pointing information and flexible control capability would significantly improve the measurements of target body’s geophysical properties, such as rotational state and surface topography. The technology would also improve the accuracy of spacecraft orbit through optical navigation, which would benefit onboard instruments.
This instrument/technology would benefit almost all missions to planetary bodies, including missions to Jovian satellites (e.g., Europa and Io), asteroids and comets.
Important areas of space-industry activity include asteroid prospecting missions. The mAPIC instrument is potentially very valuable for such missions.
Other US agencies that require small, high-powered optical instruments that are additionally gimbaled, for example to aid reconnaisance activities, could use these capabilities.
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