Sensors - Hyperion

The Hyperion instrument provides a new class of Earth observation data for improved Earth surface characterization. The Hyperion provides a science grade instrument with quality calibration based on heritage from the LEWIS Hyperspectral Imaging Instrument (HSI). The Hyperion capabilities provide resolution of surface properties into hundreds of spectral bands versus the ten multispectral bands flown on traditional Landsat imaging missions. Through these spectral bands, complex land eco-systems can be imaged and accurately classified.

Instrument Overview

The Hyperion provides a high resolution hyperspectral imager capable of resolving 220 spectral bands (from 0.4 to 2.5 µm) with a 30-meter resolution. The instrument can image a 7.5 km by 100 km land area per image, and provide detailed spectral mapping across all 220 channels with high radiometric accuracy. The major components of the instrument include the following:
System fore-optics design based on the Korea Muli-Purpose Satellite (KOMPSAT) Electro Optical Camera (EOC) mission. The telescope provides for two separate grating image spectrometers to improve signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

Benefits

A focal plane array which provides separate Short Wavelength Infrared(SWIR) and Visible and Near Infrared (VNIR) detectors based on spare hardware from the LEWIS HSI program.

A cryocooler identical to that fabricated for the LEWIS HSI mission for cooling of the SWIR focal plane.

Hyperspectral imaging has wide ranging applications in mining, geology, forestry, agriculture, and environmental management. Detailed classification of land assets through the Hyperion will enable more accurate remote mineral exploration, better predictions of crop yield and assessments, and better containment mapping.