Payload Camera Baffle Test

Task Description: Take images with the flight lens and EM payload structure to determine the baffle restriction geometry required to prevent the camera from imaging areas outside of the satellite.

Completion Deadline: 21 Jan 2021

Team Member: Matt

Resources Required: EM Payload structure, EM camera, Arducam camera development board, Arduino, 20 male/female wires, SD card, SD card reader, laptop, ASIF clean room, Arduino Mega, piece of paper, calipers.

Verification Activities: V-PLD-0350*

*This test is for designing the payload lens baffle. It partially verifies V-PLD-0350 but does not verify it completely. An additional test is required with a full prototype baffle to complete the activity.

Pass Criteria: Baffle lens restriction is determined which prevents the camera from imaging objects external to the structure.

Detailed Description:

  1. Install the camera onto the EM payload structure and connect it to the Arducam shield

  2. Remove the stock camera lens and install the flight lens so that 10 threads are threaded into the camera

  3. Following the instructions here, take images with the camera and then thread the lens in by two more threads until the camera is in focus

  4. Once the camera is in focus, place a piece of card-stock in front of the lens so that it just touches the lens on the +X side (ie just barely into the structure)

  5. Progressively insert the card-stock further into the structure so that more lens is covered until no areas outside the structure are visible.

  6. With calipers, measure the distance between the edge of the cardstock and uncovered-edge of the lens. Repeat this 5 times to ensure a consistent measurement.

  7. Remove the flight lens and return it to its storage box.

  8. Reinstall the stock camera lens.