Current and Previous Instrument Development
Hardware development has focussed on infrared radiometry and spectrometry for remote sounding. Currently work is being undertaken on the development of the Modular Infrared Molecules and Ices Sensor (MIRMIS) on ESA's Comet Interceptor, the Lunar Thermal Mapper (LTM) on NASA's Lunar Trailblazer, and sample handling for the asteroid sample being returned by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission.
Oxford has previously supplied or support hardware development for InSight's Short Period Seismometer (SEIS-SP), Galileo Jupiter mission’s Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (NIMS); the Cassini Saturn mission’s Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) at Saturn, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter’s Mars Climate Sounder radiometer (MCS); the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter’s Diviner radiometer (DLRE). Analysis from many of these data sets is continuing.
In situ instrumentation in development includes instrumentation for meteorology, seismology and subsurface characterization. We have facilities for assembly, integration and testing including mechanical and electronic workshops, cleanrooms, metrology, thermal vacuum and vibration test equipment. Work is done in close collaboration with the Infrared Multilayer Laboratory and the Planetary Surfaces Group.