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Schedule & Funding Timeline

Prime Contractor: Equinox Interscience Inc.
Year 1 Tasks - MICA Breadboard Design

  1. Develop conceptual design for MICA with X-ray CCD interface definition.
  2. Perform study to identify x-ray sources and assess utility of radioisotopes
  3. Define visible imaging camera interface.
  4. Detailed electronics design for breadboard MICA
  5. Design software for data acquisition and storage into XRD map and XRF histogram
  6. Design mechanical structure for the sensor head containing X-ray CCD, radioisotopes and shutter, camera, and LED
  7. Test rock samples at the CSM X-ray diffraction laboratory as ground truth for the MICA tests.
  8. Procure parts including the items in task 1.6 and the electronics components.
  9. Program management and review and quarterly technical reports.
Year 2 Tasks - Fabricate and Test Breadboard
  1. Build mechanical breadboard components of sensor head
  2. Builld electrical breadboard to operate the MICA sensor head
  3. Integrate and assemble the electrical and mechanical breadboards
  4. Test MICA performance on known samples already characterized in Task 1.7
  5. Characterize MICA performance and develop sample identification capabilities.
  6. Program management and review and quarterly technical reports.

SETI Institute Subcontract:
John Marshall (Principal Investigator)

The PI will assume primary responsibility for all aspects of the MICA project, especially in coordinating the breadboarding efforts at Equinox, with the sample lab diffractometry activities, and other sample testing at CSM.
  1. Assist MICA instrument configuration design especially in definition of geometry associated with instrument/sample mating.
  2. Define MICA performance requirements, specifications, and capabilities for remote sensing on the Martian surface.
  3. Define MICA operational strategies and data approaches to optimize performance, and permit MICA to perform as a surrogate geologist.
  4. Prepare documentation, technical reports.

LMSS Subcontract:
Larry Mason (Co-Investigator)

  1. Provide configuration design concept
  2. Develop CCD data processing software
  3. Model counting rate efficiencies
  4. Develop Geological Sample identification algorithms

CSM Subcontract:
Don Williamson (Co-Investigator)

  1. Support MICA design and test activities at EI, provide technical direction regarding all aspects of x-ray diffraction techniques.
  2. Provide analysis for candidate geological samples using x-ray diffraction facilities at CSM to compare with MICA test data.
  3. Assist in development of algorithms to automate the identification of geological samples using XRD and XRF data acquired from MICA.

MICA Project Timeline:

MICA Timeline

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Phone: 303-718-9502 - Fax: 303-432-8555 - Email: info@nscicorp.com