Microbolometer-based infrared array technology is making rapid progress in a variety of commercial and tactical military applications. Its suitability for space instrument applications is examined. Due to fundamental differences in sensitivity between uncooled and cooled detectors, a measurement strategy consistent with the microbolometer technology is needed. A specific example, ozone limb sounding in the Mid IR, was the topic of a recent study, and the results of this study, including the measurement requirements, approach, and on-board data processing approach are presented. The study concluded that an instrument based on a microbolometer array could dramatically improve Earth coverage, vertical resolution, and mixing ratio accuracy. A microbolometer array has already flown and performed well in space as part of a get-away special aboard the shuttle. A key space qualification test, high energy proton total dose testing, has been successfully completed and is reported.
A space instrument application of an uncooled infrared microbolometer array
2000 IEEE Aerospace Conference. Proceedings (Cat. No.00TH8484) ; 3 ; 165-172 vol.3
2000-01-01
1148235 byte
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
A Space Instrument Application Of An Uncooled Infrared Microbolometer Array
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