Strained-layer-superlattice-based compact thermal imager for the International Space Station

Jhabvala, M.; Jennings, Donald E.; Tucker, Compton J.; La, A.; Keer, Beth; Timmons, Elizabeth; Stone, Robert W.; Flatley, Thomas W.; Cepollina, F. J.; Babu, Sachidananda; Lunsford, Allen; Cassidy, Justin C.; Parker, David G.; Sundaram, M.; Bundas, Jason; Squicciarini, William; Finneran, Paul; Orlowski, I.; Fetter, Chris; Loose, Markus

doi:10.1364/ao.58.005432

Cited by 11 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…This was a change of 13.1% and 13.0% for N 0 and N 1 , respectively. We should emphasize this difference in calibration coefficients is not likely due to instrumental drift as QWIP TIR arrays are stable over long periods of time [20] . The apparent changes in calibration coefficients are likely attributed to sensitivities in the uncertainties of atmospheric opacity and air temperature along the line of sight.…”

Section: *Methods Detailsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Although the imagery was not radiometrically calibrated, the instrument had the ability to resolve signals from objects where temperature variations are less than 0.02°C. Calibration tests on QWIP thermal infrared cameras have been documented to be stable for months, even years [20] .…”

Section: *Methods Detailsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 2010, we conducted a series of experiments using the QWIP thermal instrument, which was an experimental precursor version of a QWIP thermal camera ([ 17 , 19 ] that has been flown on the International Space Station and is the thermal imaging instrument onboard Landsat 8 [ 18 , 20 ] and Landsat 9 [25] . Several experiments to analyze cave-bearing landscapes in the Mojave Desert, California, assisted in this instrument's maturation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Using near–surface temperature data to vicariously calibrate high-resolution thermal infrared imagery and estimate physical surface properties

et al. 2022

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Section: *Methods Detailsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: *Methods Detailsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Using near–surface temperature data to vicariously calibrate high-resolution thermal infrared imagery and estimate physical surface properties

et al. 2022

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“…Compact thermal imager (CTI), 76 the heritage instrument, successfully observed Earth system scenes, including ocean, forest canopy, clouds, savanna and deserts, cryosphere regions, and transients such as biomass combustion (e.g., Fig. 17) from the ISS in 2019.…”

Section: Epyc-irmentioning

confidence: 99%

EarthShine: Observing our world as an exoplanet from the surface of the Moon

Boyd

Wilson

Smale

et al. 2022

J. Astron. Telesc. Instrum. Syst.

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NASA's return to the Moon coincides with explosive growth in exoplanet discovery.Missions are being formulated to search for habitable planets orbiting other stars, making this the ideal time to deploy an instrument suite to the lunar surface to help us recognize a habitable exoplanet when we see it. We present EarthShine, a technically mature, three-instrument suite to observe the whole Earth from the Moon as an exoplanet proxy. EarthShine data will validate and improve models critical for designing missions to image and characterize exoplanets, thus informing observing strategies for flagship missions to directly image exoplanets. EarthShine will answer interconnected questions in Earth and lunar science, exoplanets, and astrobiology, related to the credo "follow the water." EarthShine can take advantage of current NASA programs to conduct science from the Moon with low-cost, mature space hardware to reduce risk and assure success. Like the 1968 Apollo Earthrise image of our home planet, lonely in the black sky, the appeal of EarthShine to a multidisciplinary array of researchers in Earth Science, Planetary Science, and astrophysics will maximize both its scientific impact and its impact on the general public.

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“…A photograph of the CTI is shown below in figure 9. The CTI was successfully launched to the ISS aboard the RRM3 experiment on December 5 th , 2018 on the SpaceX 16 th Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-16) mission [11]. The first images were received February 15 th , 2019 as the ISS crossed over western Africa.…”

Section: The Compact Thermal Imager (Cti)mentioning

confidence: 99%

QWIPs, SLS, Landsat and the International Space Station

Jhabvala

Choi

Gunapala

et al. 2020

Quantum Sensing and Nano Electronics and Photonics XVII

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In 1988 DARPA provided funding to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center to support the development of GaAs Quantum Well Infrared Photodetectors (QWIP). The goal was to make a single element photodetector that might be expandable to a two-dimensional array format. Ultimately, this led to the development of a 128 x 128 element array in collaboration with AT&T Bell Labs and Rockwell Science Center in 1990. We continued to develop numerous generations of QWIP arrays most recently resulting in the multi-QWIP focal plane for the NASA-US Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat 8 mission launched in 2013 and a similar instrument on the Landsat 9 mission to be launched in 2020. Toward the end of the Landsat 8 QWIP-based Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) instrument the potential of the newly developed Strained Layer Superlattice (SLS) detector array technology became of great interest to NASA for three primary reasons: 1) higher operating temperature; 2) broad spectral response and; 3) higher sensitivity. We have collaborated extensively with QmagiQ, LLC and Northwestern University to further pursue and advance the SLS technology ever since we started back in 2012. In December of 2018 we launched the first SLS-based IR camera system to the International Space Station on board the Robotic Refueling Mission #3 (RRM3). This paper will describe the evolution of QWIP technology leading to the current development of SLS-based imaging systems at the Goddard Space Flight Center over the past 30 years.

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Strained-layer-superlattice-based compact thermal imager for the International Space Station

Cited by 11 publications

References 4 publications

Using near–surface temperature data to vicariously calibrate high-resolution thermal infrared imagery and estimate physical surface properties

Using near–surface temperature data to vicariously calibrate high-resolution thermal infrared imagery and estimate physical surface properties

EarthShine: Observing our world as an exoplanet from the surface of the Moon

QWIPs, SLS, Landsat and the International Space Station

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