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Mechanical Structure Design and Analysis of Focal Plane Unit (Fpu) for Earth Observation (Eo) Payload

The focal plane unit plays a vital role in an earth observation payload to meet its highly demanding optical performance requirements. Focal plane unit mechanics consist of a sensor module mounting and planar optics. An image is formed on the image plane and mechanics is used to hold sensors and pla...

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Main Author: Anwar, Muhammad Mubeen
Other Authors: Martinez, Peter
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: Department of Electrical Engineering 2023
Subjects:
Space Studies
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access_status_str Open Access
author Anwar, Muhammad Mubeen
author2 Martinez, Peter
author_browse Anwar, Muhammad Mubeen
Martinez, Peter
author_facet Martinez, Peter
Anwar, Muhammad Mubeen
author_sort Anwar, Muhammad Mubeen
collection Thesis
description The focal plane unit plays a vital role in an earth observation payload to meet its highly demanding optical performance requirements. Focal plane unit mechanics consist of a sensor module mounting and planar optics. An image is formed on the image plane and mechanics is used to hold sensors and planar optics in place. The mechanical design of this unit is has two functions. Firstly, it ensures optical focus and alignment of the image plane in the temperature extremes of the space environment. Secondly, the mechanics also needs to handle harsh launching loads to get the satellite in space. The important constraints of this design are the mass and volume which need to be considered during the design. Optical performance depends a lot on the design of the mechanics used to support and align optical elements and image sensors. In this dissertation we perform the design of a focal plane unit using Solid Works 3D CAD modelling software. To validate the mechanical performance of our design Finite Element Analysis (FEM) analysis needs to be performed on every mechanical element with application of launch and environmental loads. Assembly and integration of the focal plane unit is also an important consideration, which if not properly done may deteriorate the performance. Therefore, the assembly and integration procedure is also highlighted in this work. These processes are presented in this work with future recommendations for future work.
format Thesis
id oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/36990
institution University of Cape Town (South Africa)
language eng
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:34:27.383Z
license_str Not specified — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository
publishDate 2023
publishDateRange 2023
publishDateSort 2023
publisher Department of Electrical Engineering
publisherStr Department of Electrical Engineering
record_format dspace
source_str UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository
spelling oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/36990 Mechanical Structure Design and Analysis of Focal Plane Unit (Fpu) for Earth Observation (Eo) Payload Anwar, Muhammad Mubeen Martinez, Peter Space Studies The focal plane unit plays a vital role in an earth observation payload to meet its highly demanding optical performance requirements. Focal plane unit mechanics consist of a sensor module mounting and planar optics. An image is formed on the image plane and mechanics is used to hold sensors and planar optics in place. The mechanical design of this unit is has two functions. Firstly, it ensures optical focus and alignment of the image plane in the temperature extremes of the space environment. Secondly, the mechanics also needs to handle harsh launching loads to get the satellite in space. The important constraints of this design are the mass and volume which need to be considered during the design. Optical performance depends a lot on the design of the mechanics used to support and align optical elements and image sensors. In this dissertation we perform the design of a focal plane unit using Solid Works 3D CAD modelling software. To validate the mechanical performance of our design Finite Element Analysis (FEM) analysis needs to be performed on every mechanical element with application of launch and environmental loads. Assembly and integration of the focal plane unit is also an important consideration, which if not properly done may deteriorate the performance. Therefore, the assembly and integration procedure is also highlighted in this work. These processes are presented in this work with future recommendations for future work. 2023-02-23T00:37:39Z 2023-02-23T00:37:39Z 2022 2023-02-20T12:12:33Z Master Thesis Masters MPhil http://hdl.handle.net/11427/36990 eng application/pdf Department of Electrical Engineering Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
spellingShingle Space Studies
Anwar, Muhammad Mubeen
Mechanical Structure Design and Analysis of Focal Plane Unit (Fpu) for Earth Observation (Eo) Payload
thesis_degree_str Master's
title Mechanical Structure Design and Analysis of Focal Plane Unit (Fpu) for Earth Observation (Eo) Payload
title_full Mechanical Structure Design and Analysis of Focal Plane Unit (Fpu) for Earth Observation (Eo) Payload
title_fullStr Mechanical Structure Design and Analysis of Focal Plane Unit (Fpu) for Earth Observation (Eo) Payload
title_full_unstemmed Mechanical Structure Design and Analysis of Focal Plane Unit (Fpu) for Earth Observation (Eo) Payload
title_short Mechanical Structure Design and Analysis of Focal Plane Unit (Fpu) for Earth Observation (Eo) Payload
title_sort mechanical structure design and analysis of focal plane unit fpu for earth observation eo payload
topic Space Studies
url http://hdl.handle.net/11427/36990
work_keys_str_mv AT anwarmuhammadmubeen mechanicalstructuredesignandanalysisoffocalplaneunitfpuforearthobservationeopayload

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