Design and performance evaluation of the modular imaging spectrometer instrument MISI

A Modular Imaging Spectrometer Instrument (MISI) for airborne data acquisition is described. The instrument is intended to function as a research tool in support of advanced image analysis and data exploitation tasks, serving as both a primary sensor and as a verification sensor for satellite under flights. It is also intended to function as a testbed for development and testing of sensor and system performance specifications related to radiometric calibration, image quality, and spatial, spectral, and radiometric trades. Configurations of the optical scanner and pyramid mirror/focal plane are provided. Measured spatial resolution metrics (modulation transfer function) of the silicon detector, thermal infrared detectors, and imaging spectrometer components are given. A summary of operational parameters for the 12 MISI channels is also presented. 3 refs., 9 figs., 1 tab