Wideband Hyperspectral Optical Satellite Identifier

To address the Air Force need for spectral imaging of space objects, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Wideband Hyperspectral Optical Satellite Identifier (WHOSAID). This proposed device is based on parallel hyperspectral imaging spectrometry for spectral signature acquisition, and derivative spectroscopy for spectral signature processing. A novel use of POC’s proprietary Volume Phase Grating and use of a novel contrast enhancement scheme from derivative spectroscopy will enable the WHOSAID to acquire hyperspectral images in a parallel process and to acquire an entire satellite spectral signature as a single frame. As a result, this technology sharpens the accuracy and specificity of the acquired data and delivers superior capability for satellite spectral signature discrimination and characterization, which directly addresses the USAF requirements for comprehensive identification of Resident Space Objects. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of WHOSAID by assembling and testing a single spatial pixel proof-of-concept prototype. In Phase II, POC plans to develop a GEODSS compatible prototype to show how the approach solves the problem. BENEFIT: Military applications of the WHOSAID design will include various target identification and Space Situational Awareness (SSA) systems. WHOSAID can be implemented in a range of existing Air Force SSA systems (such as GEODSS, MOSS, etc.) for system performance improvement, particularly vis-a-vis their limitations on the observational time needed for achieving an adequate satellite spectral signature. The POC design substantially reduces spectral signature distortion by providing parallel hyperspectral image acquisition, and substantially minimizes misinterpreting spectral signatures by providing an entire spectrum analysis via employing derivative spectroscopy routines. The major commercial markets for WHOSAID technology include: remote sensing (e.g., crop evaluation), sensing of civil system satellites, border patrol, security, surveillance, process control in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, and product inspection.