Hardware-Accelerated Wavefront Sensing and Control
Project Introduction
The proposal develops a portable digital-signal-processing board that enables a new optical- system architecture for space-telescope systems, while leveraging pre-existing NASA wavefront-sensing (WFS) technology.
This approach provides near real-time correction of system misalignments and disturbances, allowing diffraction-limited imaging performance with reduced mass, power, and hardware requirements, compared to conventional architectures using analog sensors or ground-based control loops. Image-based WFS requires a greater number of floating- point operations per unit-time, increasing overall system latency. Our solution to this latency is an on-board, radiation-hard, computing architecture.
More »Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Goddard Space Flight Center
(GSFC)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Greenbelt, MD |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Maryland
Project Closeout
The purpose of the Goddard Space Flight Center’s Internal Research and Development (IRAD) program is to support new technology development and to address scientific challenges. Each year, Principal Investigators (PIs) submit IRAD proposals and compete for funding for their development projects. Goddard’s IRAD program supports eight Lines of Business: Astrophysics; Communications and Navigation; Cross-Cutting Technology and Capabilities; Earth Science; Heliophysics; Planetary Science; Science Small Satellites Technology; and Suborbital Platforms and Range Services.
Task progress is evaluated twice a year at the Mid-term IRAD review and the end of the year. When the funding period has ended, the PIs compete again for IRAD funding or seek new sources of development and research funding or agree to external partnerships and collaborations. In some cases, when the development work has reached the appropriate Technology Readiness Level (TRL) level, the product is integrated into an actual NASA mission or used to support other government agencies. The technology may also be licensed out to the industry.
The completion of a project does not necessarily indicate that the development work has stopped. The work could potentially continue in the future as a follow-on IRAD; or used in collaboration or partnership with Academia, Industry and other Government Agencies.
If you are interested in partnering with NASA, see the TechPort Partnerships documentation available on the TechPort Help tab. http://techport.nasa.gov/help
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Mission Support Directorate (MSD)
Lead Center / Facility:
- Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)
Responsible Program:
- Center Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD
Project Management
Program Manager:
Project Manager:
Principal Investigator:
Project Duration
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 2 |
| Current: | 3 |
| Estimated End: | 3 |
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TX02 Flight Computing and Avionics
- TX02.2 Avionics Systems and Subsystems
- TX02.2.4 Low Power Embedded Computer Systems
