A Cubesat Hyperspectral Imager

Mapping spectrometers have been extremely useful in multiple NASA applications, from Earth composition mapping to identifying hydrocarbon lakes on Titan. Traditionally, imaging spectroscopy systems are not only heavy but also large in order to accommodate the long path lengths needed for spectral separation. There are several varieties, such as push-broom and scanning imaging spectrometers, but hyperspectral framing cameras are still relatively rare and are often untenably bulky. However, framing cameras place fewer restrictions on platform motion and can complete their data acquisition more rapidly, which allows more time and power to be dedicated to other instruments. A chip-scale full-frame hyperspectral imager would provide the ideal balance: small, light, no moving parts, low power requirements, and suitable for numerous mission architectures. In the Phase I program, Nanohmics, teaming with Dr. Hewagama at the University of Maryland, developed a chip-scale hyperspectral imaging technology for ultra-compact VIS hyperspectral cameras for smallsat and CubeSat applications. The technology provides spectral dispersion with full spatial-spectral registration orders of magnitude smaller and lighter than grating or prism options. During the Phase II program, the team will mature the technology to enable commercialization of the sensor and evaluate the feasibility of extending the technology to infrared spectral bands.