NACHOS, a CubeSat-based high-resolution UV-Visible hyperspectral imager for remote sensing of trace gases: system overview and science objectives

Steven P. Love; Logan A. Ott; Kirk W. Post; Magdalena E. Dale; Claira L. Safi; Kerry G. Boyd; Hannah D. Mohr; Christian R. Ward; Michael P. Caffrey; James P. Theiler; Bernard R. Foy; Markus P. Hehlen; Charles Glen Peterson; Ryan L. Hemphill; James A. Wren; Arthur A. Guthrie; David L. Graff; Nicholas A. Dallmann; Paul S. Stein; Manvendra K. Dubey

doi:10.1117/12.2594336

2 August 2021 NACHOS, a CubeSat-based high-resolution UV-Visible hyperspectral imager for remote sensing of trace gases: system overview and science objectives

Steven P. Love, Logan A. Ott, Kirk W. Post, Magdalena E. Dale, Claira L. Safi, Kerry G. Boyd, Hannah D. Mohr, Christian R. Ward, Michael P. Caffrey, James P. Theiler, Bernard R. Foy, Markus P. Hehlen, Charles Glen Peterson, Ryan L. Hemphill, James A. Wren, Arthur A. Guthrie, David L. Graff, Nicholas A. Dallmann, Paul S. Stein, Manvendra K. Dubey

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 11832, CubeSats and SmallSats for Remote Sensing V; 118320E (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2594336
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2021, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The Nano-satellite Atmospheric Chemistry Hyperspectral Observation System (NACHOS) is a high-throughput (f/2.9), high spectral resolution (~1.3 nm optical resolution, 0.6 nm sampling) Offner-design hyperspectral imager operating in the 300-500 nm spectral region. The 1.5U instrument payload (1U optical system, 0.5U electronics module) is hosted by a 1.5U LANL-designed CubeSat bus to comprise a 3U complete satellite. Spectroscopically similar to NASA’s Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), which provides wide-field global mapping of ozone and other gases at coarse spatial resolution, NACHOS fills the complementary niche of targeted measurements at much higher spatial resolution. With 350 across-track spatial pixels and a 15-degree across-track field of view, NACHOS will provide spectral imaging at roughly 0.4 km per pixel from 500 km altitude. NACHOS incorporates highly streamlined gas-retrieval algorithms for rapid onboard processing, alleviating the need to routinely downlink massive hyperspectral data cubes. We will discuss the instrument design, challenges in achieving mechanical robustness to launch vibration in such a compact instrument, the onboard calibration system, and gas-retrieval data downlink strategy. We will also discuss potential science missions, including monitoring of NO₂ as an easily detected proxy for anthropogenic fossil-fuel greenhouse gases, monitoring lowlevel SO₂ degassing at pre-eruptive volcanoes, H₂CO from wildfires, and characterization of aerosols. The long-term vision is for a many-satellite constellation that could provide both high spatial resolution and frequent revisits for selected targets of interest. As an initial technology demonstration of this vision, the NACHOS project is currently slated to launch two CubeSats in early 2022.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Steven P. Love, Logan A. Ott, Kirk W. Post, Magdalena E. Dale, Claira L. Safi, Kerry G. Boyd, Hannah D. Mohr, Christian R. Ward, Michael P. Caffrey, James P. Theiler, Bernard R. Foy, Markus P. Hehlen, Charles Glen Peterson, Ryan L. Hemphill, James A. Wren, Arthur A. Guthrie, David L. Graff, Nicholas A. Dallmann, Paul S. Stein, and Manvendra K. Dubey "NACHOS, a CubeSat-based high-resolution UV-Visible hyperspectral imager for remote sensing of trace gases: system overview and science objectives", Proc. SPIE 11832, CubeSats and SmallSats for Remote Sensing V, 118320E (2 August 2021); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2594336

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