This research paper was written by authors from the AMOS Centre of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and the Svalbard Science Centre. It was presented at the International Conference on Space Optics in 2021.
The aim of the research was to design a hyperspectral imager that was entirely composed of either off the shelf or easily created components specifically for use in small satellites. For the final design of a pushbroom scanning imager, the optics used are all available as off the shelf components, these being the 50mm lenses, transmission grating and a detecting CMOS sensor. These and a 50 μm precision cut slit give the ability to capture a spectral range of 300-1000nm, visible and near infrared spectrum.
As this imager was designed to be used on small satellites, a previously launched 6U ocean colour imaging satellite was taken as a base, for both size and optical design. A hypothetical mission carrying this imager would be launched to a 500km orbit, and with the imager will have a swath width of 70km per scan and a sampling distance of 49 x 60 m.
Since the raw image data of a hyperspectral sensor is impractical to downlink as-is, onboard software processing is done to reduce the amount of transfered data.
According to the authors the aim of the paper was to benefit Norway by providing the ability to take high quality ocean images for use by petrol companies and fisheries.
Paper: https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2599937
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