Adrienne Dove

Abstract

This UCF invention is a lander mounted optical instrument that directly measures particle size distributions in energetic ejecta clouds produced by rocket plumes during planetary landings. Known as the Ejecta Backscattered Laser Albedo and Sizing Tracker (EjectaBLAST), the system illuminates plume borne dust using multiple synchronized laser wavelengths and images the scattered light with a high-speed global shutter camera. By analyzing the wavelength dependent exponential decay of laser intensity along each beam, the system reconstructs particle size distributions as a function of spatial position and time. EjectaBLAST fills a critical data gap by providing the first known method capable of characterizing fine dust particles while they are actively entrained and transported by a landing plume, enabling improved modeling, risk mitigation, and design of future lunar and planetary missions.

Technical Details: EjectaBLAST consists of two primary subsystems: a Laser Module housing eight solid state lasers spanning ultraviolet to near infrared wavelengths, and a Camera Module incorporating a monochrome global shutter sensor and single board computer. All lasers are pulsed simultaneously during a short exposure (=0.6 ms) at frame rates =100 Hz, maintaining per laser duty cycles =6.5% and average power =1 W over a typical measurement window.

Captured images are processed on board to correct optical distortions, remap pixel coordinates into physical distances along each beam, and integrate scattered intensity across adaptive regions of interest. Exponential decay constants are extracted for each wavelength, and a regularized matrix inversion converts these attenuation values into non-negative particle size distributions that evolve over time. Optional features include neutral density filtering, scattering angle window selection, polarization compensation, autonomous data compression, and safety interlocks.

Benefit

Market Application