VECTOR: A 3U CubeSat for Educational and Algorithmic Development in Space-Based Optical Imaging

VECTOR (Versatile Educational Controls Testbed for Optical Response) is a 3U CubeSat designed to serve as an educational platform and on-orbit laboratory, advancing the understanding of image processing, search, and control algorithms for a rapid-slewing optical follow-on telescope. It is designed as the first flight of a bus using a minimal electronic interface to support complex imaging missions in a 3U form factor, balancing competing requirements of modularity/ease of repair against SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power). VECTOR will include a Canon lens, an optical CMOS sensor, and an FPGA for the imaging pipeline. Torque rods and large reaction wheels will be used to maximize agility. The detection software pipeline is designed to include modern software-based motion-blur correction with point-spread-functions estimated from IMU data and star-spread from the images. This configurable software pipeline enables different algorithms to be easily tested, an almost unprecedented spaceflight capability. VECTOR is designed to detect transient events, including rapid responses to the NASA GCN and IPN, direct notifications of GRBs, FRBs, and AGNs, and events of public interest. When not observing targets, VECTOR will remove a star from its star map, create a probability density function for the removed star, and search for the “new” target. Leveraging its configurable FPGA imaging pipeline and control systems, it can test pointing/navigation algorithms under varying conditions. A guest investigator program invites students and the public to develop and submit algorithms, with this being considered for use by the WashU Electrical and Systems Engineering department.