The spaceborne infrared atmospheric sounder for geosynchronous Earth orbit (SIRAS-G): pathfinder to space

Thomas U. Kampe; Holden Chase

doi:10.1117/12.740612

26 September 2007 The spaceborne infrared atmospheric sounder for geosynchronous earth orbit (SIRAS-G): pathfinder to space

Thomas U. Kampe, Holden Chase

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6660, Infrared Systems and Photoelectronic Technology II; 66600K (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.740612
Event: Photonic Devices + Applications, 2007, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The Spaceborne Infrared Sounder for Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (SIRAS-G) was developed by Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp (BATC) under NASA's 2002 Instrument Incubator Program. SIRAS-G is a technology development program focused on next-generation IR imaging spectrometers for sounding of the atmosphere. SIRAS-G is ideally suited for measuring atmospheric temperature and water vapor profiles, trace gases concentrations, land and ocean surface temperatures and the IR mineral dust aerosol signature from satellite, providing high-spectral resolution imaging spectroscopy over a broad IR spectral range and extended field of view. Instrument concepts for future mission in LEO and GEO are discussed, including an instrument concept to be flown in low earth orbit having the potential to provide high spatial resolution, comparable to that of MODIS, along with the high spectral resolution currently being demonstrated by the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS). This capability would dramatically improve the yield of cloud-free pixels scenes that can be assimilated into Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models. The SIRAS-G dispersive spectrometer module is readily adaptable for missions in LEO, GEO and MEO orbits and can be optimized for spectral resolution over subsets of the total spectral range. We have completed the 3-year SIRAS-G IIP development effort, including successful testing of the SIRAS-G laboratory demonstration spectrometer that utilized the Hawaii 1RG MWIR FPA. Performance testing was conducted at cryogenic temperatures and the performance of the demo instrument has been quantified including measurement of keystone distortion, spectral smile, MTF, and the spectral response function (SRF) to high accuracy. We present the results of the laboratory instrument development including characterization of the demonstration instrument performance. We discuss instrument concepts utilizing SIRAS-G technology for potential future missions including an anticipated airborne flight demonstration.

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Thomas U. Kampe and Holden Chase "The spaceborne infrared atmospheric sounder for geosynchronous earth orbit (SIRAS-G): pathfinder to space", Proc. SPIE 6660, Infrared Systems and Photoelectronic Technology II, 66600K (26 September 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.740612

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