Mini-Advanced Pointing Imaging Camera (mAPIC)

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.