Products | RALCam 1
RALCam 1, a 2.5m resolution camera first launched as the payload to TopSat on 27 October 2005. It is now a fully operational camera and space proven.
- RALCam 1 is a compact, low mass camera capable of producing 2.5m GSD images from 600km.
- The first flight model has passed its qualification tests and is now operational
- Ideally suited to small satellites.
- It is a low cost entry solution for governments or commercial organizations wanting high resolution imagery from their own satellite missions.
Ralcam 1
Detector Specification |
CCD |
Number of Pixels in the array |
6000 |
Pixel size (microns) |
7 |
Array length (mm) |
42 |
Number of output ports |
1 |
Camera Specification
Resolution, or Ground Sampling Distance (m) |
2.5 panchromatic, 5.0 three colour |
Orbit altitude (km) |
600 |
MTF |
>15% at Nyquist frequency (both Pan and RGB). |
Image Mode |
Pushbroom |
Operations |
Simultaneous imaging in all channels. Image length limited only by on-board data storage. |
Digitization |
10 bits. |
Design Life |
>2 years. |
Data Rate |
80 Mbps from pan channel. |
Focal length (m) |
1.68 |
d = input aperture diameter (mm) |
200 |
F number |
8.40 |
Swath (km) |
15 |
Size (mm x mm x mm) |
810 x 615 x 350 |
Mass (kg) |
32 |
Power (W) |
< 20 |
RALCam 1 - Design
Detector |
Si CCD linear arrays (commercial). |
Data i/f |
Spacewire running at 80Mbps. |
Structure |
CFRP with low CME resin system. |
Optics |
Zerodur mirrors, Aluminium coated. Two off axis and one on axis. |
Thermal |
MLI blankets + low conductance mounts. Heaters to maintain operating temperature. |
Door |
Single shot door actuated by wax pin puller. |
