Midcourse Space Experiment: Off-Axis Rejection Performance of the Infrared Sensor

Abstract

The Spatial Infrared Imaging Telescope III (SPIRIT III) sensor on the Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) satellite observed stray radiation from the lower atmosphere and terrestrial surface, nonrejected Earth radiance, at angles of approximately 2 to 14 deg from the optical axis in measurements of Earth limb radiance. Analysis indicates that direct scatter of terrestrial radiance from contaminants on the telescope primary mirror is the principal source of stray radiation and the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of the primary mirror for the 6.8-10.8 micrometer radiometer band is off axis. Similarly, the BRDF values for the three other LWIR radiometer bands. The BRDF values derived from the on-orbit data are significantly greater than prelaunch measurements, and the increase is attributed to particulate accumulation on the primary mirror during the prelaunch period, launch, and the on-orbit telescope aperture cover removal and ejection process.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 28, 2005
Accession Number
ADA465124

Entities

People

  • E. Richards
  • J. Gibson
  • R. R. O'neil

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Distribution Functions
  • Electromagnetic Radiation
  • Infrared Detectors
  • Instrumentation
  • Measurement
  • Optical Detectors
  • Particle Size
  • Particles
  • Radiation
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Components

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science
  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Missile Defense Systems.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites