Flight tests of the computational reconfigurable imaging spectrometer

Abstract

We present the first flight data using a Computational Reconfigurable Imaging Spectrometer (CRISP) system. CRISP (Sullenberger et al., 2017) is a novel hyperspectral thermal imaging spectrometer that uses computational imaging to enable high sensitivity measurements (via spectral multiplexing) from smaller, noisier, and less-expensive components (e.g., uncooled microbolometers) making it useful on small space and air platforms with strict size, weight, and power requirements. In contrast to other multiplexing hyperspectral solutions (e.g Michelson interferometer), it does not require moving parts, allowing for a robust system without aggressive engineering solutions. We discuss flight system design and calibration. Spectra from ground targets and gaseous species are compared to performance expectations. We successfully demonstrate the ability to extract airborne longwave infrared (8–12 μm) imagery and spectra from an uncooled camera-based CRISP system.