A Combined Visible and Thermal Infrared Space Sensor for Day/Night Imaging
- Paper number
IAC-07-B1.3.08
- Author
Mr. Jeremy Topaz, Elbit Systems Electrooptics ElOp Ltd., Israel
- Coauthor
Dr. Erez Yacoby, Elbit Systems, Electro Optics, ELOP Ltd., Israel
- Year
2007
- Abstract
A satellite camera combining a thermal infrared channel with a conventional visible/near infrared system would allow imaging either in daytime or at night, or both together in daytime to add thermal IR information to the V/NIR image. The performance of the IR channel would be limited by the lower resolution due to the diffraction limit at longer wavelengths, the availability of long detector arrays and their need for cryogenic cooling. Nevertheless, useful images can be obtained by a system designed to meet the challenges of space operation (mass, size, power, reliability etc.). A rich heritage in both ground and airborne infrared imaging systems and in VNIR space cameras provides a good basis for this design. The proposed system uses a single common telescope, with a dichroic beam-splitter to divide the two wavelength bands and with some separate optical elements for each channel. Different options exist for cooling the IR detector to overcome the problems of lifetime, vibration, power consumption, etc. A detector array has been developed for both airborne and space imaging applications to provide high sensitivity in the MWIR (3-5µm) wavelength band. The paper will present the conceptual design and discuss the problems to be overcome and possible solutions.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-B1.3.08.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.