The paper describes the tests performed on the enhanced thematic mapper (ETM) cold focal plane array (CFPA) after it was fully characterized in a test dewar and before the full instrument integration. The cold focal plane array was first integrated onto the radiative cooler with the thermal switch open so there is no thermal conduction between the radiator cold stage and the CFPA. A Joule-Thompson cooler was used to cool the CFPA during the before- and after-vibration tests. After these two bench-level tests the thermal switch was closed and the CFPA cooler assembly was prepared for the final thermal-vacuum chamber testing. This test encompasses two major goals. The first one is to make certain that the cooler performance meets specifications. This was done with the cooler facing a simulated cold space background and proper thermal loads were impressed. The second is to adjust the band 6 (PC HgCdTe) preamp circuits so maximum dynamic range can be realized during the actual flight environment. The work was performed while the author was affiliated with Santa Barbara Research Center.

Date Published: 26 October 1992
PDF: 9 pages
Proc. SPIE 1814, Optical Sensors, (26 October 1992); doi: 10.1117/12.131277

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 1814:
Optical Sensors
Chih-Hong Chen; Tieh-Chu Wang, Editor(s)