CRISM (Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars) is a visible-infrared hyper-spectral instrument for NASA s 2005 Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). Designed and built by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL), the instrument will search for evidence of water deposits and map the geology and composition of the Martian surface. The baffle assembly is a tube with several internal vanes designed to prevent stray light from entering the optics subsystem. Metal baffle assemblies are commonly machined as one piece, while composite baffles are typically assembled from a tube and numerous flat plates and mounting clips. The CRISM baffle used a novel approach that utilized cup-shaped vanes nested inside an outer tube. This approach resulted in a significantly reduced part count and overall cost. System thermal, mass, and stiffness requirements dictated that the baffle assembly be fabricated from a high thermal conductivity, high modulus pitch fiber composite material The use of new, small diameter pitch fiber fabric prepreg allowed the use of pitch fiber composites throughout the structure.-All design, analysis, fabrication, assembly, and testing was performed at APL to provide assurance that the baffle assembly was qualified for the mission.
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