Space station application of CCD image sensors for x-ray imaging

Charge Coupled Device (CCD) type solid state image sensors are employed in a number of space based imaging experiments and will be the basis for a camera system to acquire x-ray diffraction images on board the Space Station. This paper will present the system engineering considerations that led to the selection of CCDs over other x-ray imaging technologies and the design of the camera system. This will include discussion of the special requirements imposed by the space environment and this x-ray crystallography mission. This systems engineering discussion will be followed by a summary of high spatial resolution CCDs that are candidates for this camera, what may become available in the future, and what improvements would make CCDs even more suited to such X-ray imaging applications on the ground as well as in space