The Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) instrument selected to fly on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) GOES-R Series environmental satellites has very unique requirements as compared to an
imaging array. GLM's requirements to monitor lightning on a continental scale will provide new insight into the
formation, distribution, morphology and evolution of storms.
A 500 frame per second backside illuminated frame transfer CCD imager (STA3900A) with variable pixel size has
been developed to meet these requirements. A variable pixel architecture provides a near uniform mapping of the curved
surface of the earth, while 56 outputs running at 20 MHz yield greater than a 1.1 Gigapixel per second data rate with low
RMS noise and high MTF. This paper will provide detailed information on design trades required. We will report CCD
read noise, dark current, full well capacity, and quantum efficiency (QE).
Advances in systems engineering, applied sciences, and manufacturing technologies have enabled the development of large ground based and spaced based astronomical instruments having a large Field of View (FOV) to capture a large portion of the universe in a single image. A larger FOV can be accomplished using light weighted optical elements, improved support structures, and the development of mosaic Focal Plane Assemblies (mFPA). A mFPA designed for astronomy can use multiple Charged Coupled Devices (CCD) mounted onto a single camera baseplate integrated at the instrument plane of focus. Examples of current, or proposed, missions utilizing mFPA technology include FAME, GEST, Kepler, GAIA, LSST, and SNAP. The development of a mFPA mandates tighter control on the design trades, component development, CCD characterization, component integration, and performance verification testing. This paper addresses the capability Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company's (LMSSC) Advanced Technology Center (ATC) has developed to perform CCD characterization, mFPA assembly and alignment, and mFPA system level testing.
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