SATPC0038258 Tab 04 4 SOW Updated.pdf

DEMonstrating the Emerging Technologies for measuring Earth’s Radiation (DEMETER) Earth Radiation Budget : Mission Space Vehicle Development

Activities

NovaWurks May 22, 2025

1.0 Background

The DEMETER space vehicle observational platform, with 1+year operational design lifetime, will host the Broadband Atmospheric Radiation Knowledge Instrument (BARKI), a broadband sensor with on-board calibration capabilities. Designed to sample Earth’s radiation in the cross-track direction like CERES, DEMETER implements a “push-broom” instead of the CERES/Libera scanning approach. BARKI utilizes a non-scanning Broadband Optical Module (BOM) nominally containing four identical (±1.7° in alongtrack, ±16° in crosstrack) Sensor Assemblies (SA), (i.e. wide field-of-view tiled telescopes coupled with 2-D detector arrays, whose topography lies in the focus of the optical system), providing limb-to-limb (±60°) coverage of the ground as it orbits the Earth. Successive readouts of the array represent consecutive crosstrack swaths providing the necessary spatial and angular coverage of the Top-Of-Atmosphere (TOA) radiation fields for nominal observations. BARKI measures Earth-reflected and Earth-emitted filtered radiances in the broadband shortwave (SW) (0.2 µm - 5.0 µm), broadband longwave (LW) radiances (5 µm - >50 µm), and broadband total (TOT) radiances (0.2 -->50 µm) spectral regions.

The NovaWurks Space Lego (SLEGO) building blocks conform around the payload and peripheral elements to form the space vehicle architecture providing support functions, making the observational platform a complete autonomous satellite. These functions include multi-mode pointing control, low-jitter mechanisms, thermal and power management, radiation tolerance, station keeping propulsion, solar array motor drives, EMI/EMC shielding, and onboard processing.

The DEMETER platform preserves radiometric traceability of current observations to detect change at 0.1 Wm-2 decade-1, while greatly expanding scientific return.

The BARKI instrument contains a high-fidelity Broadband Calibration Module (BCM) nominally consisting of three separate sources: the Shortwave Onboard Calibration Source (SOCS), the Solar Onboard Calibration Source (SolOCS), and Longwave Onboard Calibration Source (LOCS). The previous Instrument Incubator Program (IIP-19) allowed for the development of a high-fidelity prototype of the SOCS with Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) performance testing advancing its Technology Readiness Level (TRL) to 5. The updated prototype design requires effort to address updates and minor modifications to the SOCS current design as well as the development, fabrication, and test of the new SolOCS and LOCS as they are evolved from existing higher TRL designs.

The SOCS is an aluminum encased Spectralon (polytetrafluoroethylene) integrating sphere, illuminated by multiple narrow spectral band Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), a broadband Quartz Tungsten Halogen lamp, and also contains a photodiode reference detector. The LEDs and lamps were selected to cover the broad reflected solar radiance bands of Earth observations at controllable illumination levels. They may also be energized individually to provide narrow spectral band, as well as broadband radiances. Initial vacuum testing of the SOCS was completed under IIP-19.

The LOCS consists of a thermally controlled variable temperature blackbody which presents radiometrically traceable representative Earth outgoing longwave radiances over a sufficient dynamic range to the aperture of an individual SA (±1.7° ± 16°). SDL and LaRC SMEs will build upon their vast experience in designing, fabricating, and testing ground- and space-based blackbodies for this effort. The LOCS design will leverage the flight proven SDL design of the blackbody from the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) instrument as a baseline. The BARKI SA FOV requires a larger angular field of uniform emittance, and the broader spectral range requires incorporation of a larger dynamic range of thermal control (mission ambient to +20°C) than the SABER blackbody. Well established design principles, including baffling techniques and surface topography enhancements for improved emissivity, will be incorporated to ensure success. Performance will be verified via thermal and stray light analyses prior to fabrication and final performance testing. In addition, system level test of LOCS integrated into the prototype instrument core, demonstrating cooperative operation of the components in a relevant environment is required.

The SolOCS is an optical diffuser that will attenuate and scatter (diffusely) incoming solar radiances and project them onto the SA aperture during solar calibration activities. While solar diffusers are common across multiple missions (MODIS, VIIRS, CERES, Meris, etc.), DEMETER will have mission unique requirements given the larger FOV of the SA. Baffling of solar radiances arriving to and reflected from the diffuser surface will be defined, as well as assessments of required duty cycles and con-ops to ensure stability of the diffuser’s reflective properties. Potential implementations include (1) incorporation of multiple diffuser surfaces on a multi-sided (3-4) rotating structure inside a protected environment, as designed for the Radiation Budget Instrument.

This concept incorporates a stepper motor to rotate selected panels to be utilized as the diffuser upon different cadences. Or (2) a solar diffuser stability monitor similar to that utilized on the MODIS instruments. Performance will be verified via thermal and stray light analyses prior to fabrication and final performance testing. In addition, a system level test of the SolOCS integrated into the prototype instrument core, demonstrating cooperative operation of the components in a relevant environment is required.

2.0 Scope

NovaWurks will continue to support the DEMETER project providing expertise derived during the previously completed IIP-19 work. NASA LaRC is in need of a sensorcraft/bus design that will be used to advance the next-generation concept for measuring the Earth’s radiation budget.

The scope of this work includes sizing, parametric studies, Interface documentation development, and in-flight concept of operations development of different satlet configurations that would integrate into a sensorcraft with a small passive optical payload.

3.0 Technical Requirements

Specifically, for the baseline POP of 12 months (7/1/2025-6/30/2026) NovaWurks Shall:

1. Participate in the DEMETER project reviews.

2. Support development of Interface Control Documents between the payload elements and the NovaWurks HISat’s, to ensure compatibility of the hardware delivered by the partner teams.

3. Define initial analyses necessary to support sensorcraft configuration flying in a sun-synchronous Low Earth Orbit.

4. Define and document preliminary on-orbit concept of operations related to the Space Vehicle bus,

5. Define a preliminary recommended space vehicle configuration.

6. Deliver all residual items (e.g. GSE, residual parts, etc) at the conclusion of the contract.

for the executable option POP of 12 months (7/1/2026-6/30/2027) NovaWurks Shall, if executed:

1. Participate in the DEMETER project reviews.

2. Finalize the Space Vehicle elements of Interface Control Documents between the payload elements and the NovaWurks HISat’s, to ensure compatibility of the hardware delivered by the partner teams.

3. Complete analyses necessary to support sensorcraft configuration flying in a sun-synchronous Low Earth Orbit.

4. Define and document final recommended on-orbit concept of operations related to the Space Vehicle bus,

5. Finalize recommended space vehicle configuration, including battery, array, communications, orbital maintenance, thermal, and delta-V subsystems.

6. Deliver all residual items (e.g. GSE, residual parts, etc) at the conclusion of the contract.

4.0 Special Requirements

1. Staff assigned to work shall be U.S. citizens or resident aliens with valid green cards and able to obtain a favorable NACI outcome.

2. Monthly technical Reports are required within 5 business days of the end the period. Monthly reporting includes but is not limited to Monthly Technical and Schedule status.

3. Monthly/final invoices are required within 15 (TBR) business days following the end of month.

4. Support weekly project technical virtual meetings (90 min duration) with all partners in attendance.

5.0 Travel and ODCs

NovaWurks is expected to support the following travel during the period of performance. Identify assumed number of travelers.

Baseline Period of Performance (7/1/2025-6/30/2026):

Travel Description Location and Duration

NASA Langley – DEMETER Kickoff Meeting Hampton, VA 4 days including travel time

NASA Langley – DEMETER Technical Interchange Meeting Hampton, VA 4 days including travel time

Optional Period of Performance (7/1/2026-6/30/2027):

Travel Description Location and Duration

NASA Langley – DEMETER Technical Interchange Meeting Hampton, VA 4 days including travel time

NASA Langley – DEMETER Closeout Reveiw Hampton, VA 4 days including travel time

6.0 Deliverables

The Contractor shall submit all deliverables to the NASA technical point of contact.

Baseline Period of Performance (7/1/2025-6/30/2026):

Deliverable Description Project Month Due Date (1st of month)

Monthly technical and schedule status reports monthly 5th day of each calendar month

Monthly financial status reports monthly 15th day of each calendar month

Define required analyses to develop prototype space vehicle configuration

Document preliminary space vehicle configuration

Preliminary on-orbit Concept of Operations 11

Optional Period of Performance (7/1/2026-6/30/2027):

Deliverable Description Project Month Due Date (1st of month)

Monthly technical and schedule status reports. monthly 5th day of each calendar month

Monthly financial status reports. monthly 15th day of each calendar month

Complete required analyses to develop prototype space vehicle configuration

Document final recommended space vehicle configuration

Final on-orbit Concept of Operations 11

7.0 Government Furnished Equipment and Information

NASA Langley will provide the following:

1) Documentation relating to the interface requirements of the BARKI Payload elements.

8.0 Place of Performance

The contractor work will take place at NovaWurks facility in Los Alamitos, CA

9.0 Period of Performance

The baseline period of performance for this effort is 12 months from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.

The period of performance for the contractual option is 12 months from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

10.0 Appendices

None.