Measurement approach and design of the CubeSat Infrared Atmospheric Sounder (CIRAS)

Thomas S. Pagano; David Rider; Mayer Rud; David Ting; Karl Yee

doi:10.1117/12.2235986

19 September 2016 Measurement approach and design of the CubeSat Infrared Atmospheric Sounder (CIRAS)

Thomas S. Pagano, David Rider, Mayer Rud, David Ting, Karl Yee

Proceedings Volume 9978, CubeSats and NanoSats for Remote Sensing; 997806 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2235986
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2016, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The CubeSat Infrared Atmospheric Sounder (CIRAS) will measure upwelling infrared radiation of the Earth in the MWIR region of the spectrum from space on a CubeSat. The observed radiances have information of potential value to weather forecasting agencies and can be used to retrieve lower tropospheric temperature and water vapor globally for weather and climate science investigations. Multiple units can be flown to improve temporal coverage or in formation to provide new data products including 3D atmospheric motion vector winds. CIRAS incorporates key new instrument technologies including a 2D array of High Operating Temperature Barrier Infrared Detector (HOT-BIRD) material, selected for its high uniformity, low cost, low noise and higher operating temperatures than traditional materials. The detectors are hybridized to a commercial ROIC and commercial camera electronics. The second key technology is an MWIR Grating Spectrometer (MGS) designed to provide imaging spectroscopy for atmospheric sounding in a CubeSat volume. The MGS has no moving parts and includes an immersion grating to reduce the volume and reduce distortion. The third key technology is an infrared blackbody fabricated with black silicon to have very high emissivity in a flat plate construction. JPL will also develop the mechanical, electronic and thermal subsystems for CIRAS, while the spacecraft will be a commercially available CubeSat. The integrated system will be a complete 6U CubeSat capable of measuring temperature and water vapor profiles with good lower tropospheric sensitivity. The CIRAS is the first step towards the development of an Earth Observation Nanosatellite Infrared (EON-IR) capable of operational readiness to mitigate a potential loss of CrIS on JPSS or complement the current observing system with different orbit crossing times.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Thomas S. Pagano, David Rider, Mayer Rud, David Ting, and Karl Yee "Measurement approach and design of the CubeSat Infrared Atmospheric Sounder (CIRAS)", Proc. SPIE 9978, CubeSats and NanoSats for Remote Sensing, 997806 (19 September 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2235986

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available