The Evaluation of Un-Cooled Detectors for Low-Cost Thermal-IR Earth Observation at the Surrey Space Center
Abstract
In 2004, the four-micro-satellite Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) became operational. While the constellation currently utilizes visible and near-infrared (IR) imagers, a candidate instrument for future DMC satellites is one operating in the thermal-infrared (TIR). In this research program, a prototype TIR imaging radiometer compatible with the DMC imaging suite was engineered. The 2.5 kg prototype instrument uses a 2-dimensional, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) uncooled micro-bolometer array to collect data in any of several mid-wave and long-wave IR bands (3-5, 8-10, 10-12, and 8-14 micrometers). After characterizing the performance of the prototype, a computer model was created to predict its on-orbit performance. Analysis showed that a flight version of this instrument would yield around a 0.5 K noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD) for a 300 K ground scene, a 300-meter ground sample distance (GSD), and a 185-kilometer ground swath. Its application in special niche, or currently ill-served mission areas, is proposed. One such application is autonomous global thermal change detection, dedicated to highly specialized user communities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 02, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA430042
Entities
People
- Brian Oelrich
- Craig Underwood
- Stephen Mackin
Organizations
- University of Surrey