Session
Session VII: Advanced Technologies I
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
Hyperspectral Earth Observation is a fast-growing field requiring high performing imaging spectrometers.
Since 2010, the European Space Agency has initiated a series of developments demonstrating the feasibility of miniaturized hyperspectral instruments on mini-and nano-satellites[1].
Among them, ELOIS and CHIMA are two innovative full Aluminum instruments based on diffraction gratings ruled on a freeform surface (FFG : Free-Form Grating). That solution offers a reduction of about a factor of 4 in volume with respect to a Offner-Chrisp spectrometers with equivalent performances.
The Spectrometers combines three promising new technologies for future hyperspectral instruments: complex blazed grating, freeform optics and backside-illuminated hyperspectral CMOS sensor. With an image space F-number of 2.1, ELOIS is also one of the fastest instrument of this type. The ratio between Swath and Ground Sampling Distance is about twice as big as currently planned hyperspectral missions.
Breadboards of these spectro-imagers, limited to the visible and NIR spectra, has been manufactured and tested. This breadboard program confirmed the achievement of the challenging design specifications.
Based on these demonstrations, a complete payload is now developed to cover the VNIR and SWIR spectral ranges (400nm to 2450 nm) with a spectral resolution of 10 nm.
The proposed technologies are now studied in the context of the “Copernicus Space Component Expansion” program. Six candidate missions have been identified by the European Commission (EC) as priorities for implementation in the coming years. Among them, the CHIME mission (Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission for Environment) aims to provide precise spectroscopic measurements in the VNIR/SWIR spectral range. Those data will be used to derive quantitative surface characteristics supporting the monitoring, implementation and improvement of a range of policies in the domain of raw materials, agriculture, soils, food security, biodiversity, environmental degradation and hazards, inland and coastal waters, snow, forestry and the urban environment.
Freeform Grating-Based Hyperspectral Instruments: When SmallSat Solutions Benefit to Big Missions
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Hyperspectral Earth Observation is a fast-growing field requiring high performing imaging spectrometers.
Since 2010, the European Space Agency has initiated a series of developments demonstrating the feasibility of miniaturized hyperspectral instruments on mini-and nano-satellites[1].
Among them, ELOIS and CHIMA are two innovative full Aluminum instruments based on diffraction gratings ruled on a freeform surface (FFG : Free-Form Grating). That solution offers a reduction of about a factor of 4 in volume with respect to a Offner-Chrisp spectrometers with equivalent performances.
The Spectrometers combines three promising new technologies for future hyperspectral instruments: complex blazed grating, freeform optics and backside-illuminated hyperspectral CMOS sensor. With an image space F-number of 2.1, ELOIS is also one of the fastest instrument of this type. The ratio between Swath and Ground Sampling Distance is about twice as big as currently planned hyperspectral missions.
Breadboards of these spectro-imagers, limited to the visible and NIR spectra, has been manufactured and tested. This breadboard program confirmed the achievement of the challenging design specifications.
Based on these demonstrations, a complete payload is now developed to cover the VNIR and SWIR spectral ranges (400nm to 2450 nm) with a spectral resolution of 10 nm.
The proposed technologies are now studied in the context of the “Copernicus Space Component Expansion” program. Six candidate missions have been identified by the European Commission (EC) as priorities for implementation in the coming years. Among them, the CHIME mission (Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission for Environment) aims to provide precise spectroscopic measurements in the VNIR/SWIR spectral range. Those data will be used to derive quantitative surface characteristics supporting the monitoring, implementation and improvement of a range of policies in the domain of raw materials, agriculture, soils, food security, biodiversity, environmental degradation and hazards, inland and coastal waters, snow, forestry and the urban environment.
