Ground characterization of the Wide-field Infrared Explorer (WIRE) instrument

John C. Kemp; Mark F. Larsen; James Q. Peterson; Steven D. Sargent

doi:10.1117/12.331335

18 November 1998 Ground characterization of the Wide-field Infrared Explorer (WIRE) instrument

John C. Kemp, Mark F. Larsen, James Q. Peterson, Steven D. Sargent

Proceedings Volume 3437, Infrared Spaceborne Remote Sensing VI; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.331335
Event: SPIE's International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1998, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

The Wide-Field Infrared Explorer (WIRE) is a small cryogenic spaceborne infrared telescope being readied for launch in September 1998 as the fifth of NASA's Small Explorers. WIRE utilizes two 128 X 128 Si:As Focal Plane Arrays (FPAs) produced by Boeing North American with a 30 cm diameter Ritchey Cretien diamond turned mirror system. This mission takes advantage of recent advances in infrared array detector technology to provide a large sensitivity gain over previously flown missions. Two broad pass bands are defined for a deep pointed survey to search for protogalaxies and to study the evolution of starburst galaxies. The Space Dynamics Laboratory at Utah State University (SDL/USU) used the multifunction infrared calibrator and other special purpose cryogenic equipment to perform a ground characterization of the WIRE instrument. The focus was verified cold with two independent measurements. Both in-band and out-of-band Relative Spectral Response measurements were made; some sensitivity to temperature, bias voltage, and location on the long wavelength focal plane array were found. Dark current and dark noise measurements are also reported.

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John C. Kemp, Mark F. Larsen, James Q. Peterson, and Steven D. Sargent "Ground characterization of the Wide-field Infrared Explorer (WIRE) instrument", Proc. SPIE 3437, Infrared Spaceborne Remote Sensing VI, (18 November 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.331335

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KEYWORDS

Staring arrays

Infrared radiation

Infrared telescopes

Sensors

Galactic astronomy

Space telescopes

Telescopes

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