Onboard Dynamic Image Exposure Control for the Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat (SPARCS)
Tahina Ramiaramanantsoa (1), Judd D. Bowman (1), Evgenya L. Shkolnik, (1), R. O. Parke Loyd (1), David R. Ardila (2), April Jewell (2), Travis, Barman (3), Christophe Basset (2), Matthew Beasley (4), Samuel Cheng (2),, Johnathan Gamaunt (1), Varoujan Gorjian (2)

TL;DR
SPARCS is a CubeSat designed to monitor M dwarf star activity in ultraviolet wavelengths, using onboard real-time image processing to dynamically optimize exposure settings during flaring events.
Contribution
This paper introduces a novel onboard autonomous exposure control algorithm for UV detectors, enhancing real-time star activity monitoring in CubeSat missions.
Findings
Algorithm responds robustly to flaring and quiescent states
Simulations confirm effective exposure adjustments
Potential for application in future transient astrophysics observatories
Abstract
The Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat (SPARCS) is a 6U CubeSat under development to monitor the flaring and chromospheric activity of M dwarfs at near-ultraviolet (NUV) and far-ultraviolet (FUV) wavelengths. The spacecraft hosts two UV-optimized delta-doped charge-coupled devices fed by a 9-cm telescope and a dichroic beam splitter. A dedicated science payload processor performs near real-time onboard science image processing to dynamically change detector integration times and gains to reduce the occurrence of pixel saturation during strong M dwarf flaring events and provide adequate flare light curve structure resolution while enabling the detection of low-amplitude rotational modulation. The processor independently controls the NUV and FUV detectors. For each detector, it derives control updates from the most recent completed exposure and applies them to the next exposure. The…
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Taxonomy
TopicsAstro and Planetary Science · Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies · Spacecraft Design and Technology
