Abstract
THEMIS is a 13kg 14W pushbroom imager being built for NASA's Mars 2001 orbiter to acquire 9 IR bands (6.5-15.5 μm) of 100m resolution images to map mineralogy and search for hydrothermal activity. A 20m resolution multispectral visible sensor, from Malin Space Science Systems, is also integrated into THEMIS. THEMIS data will support selection of landing sites for sample collection and return missions. Optics and detector designs are keys to meeting the low-cost mission requirements. THEMIS' telescope is a compact 3-mirror f/1.6 diamond-turned design. Spectral selection is via stripe filters fixed above the focal planes. The IR focal plane incorporates a 2D array of Si microbolometer detectors, based on a Honeywell patent and further developed by Raytheon. These uncooled detectors relieve the instrument design from accommodating the bulk/weight/power of an active/passive cryocooler. The detector high responsivity range is being extended down from 8 to 6 μm to image carbonate absorption bands.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | IEEE Aerospace Applications Conference Proceedings |
| Place of Publication | Los Alamitos, CA, United States |
| Publisher | IEEE |
| Pages | 377-389 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Volume | 3 |
| State | Published - 1999 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | Proceedings of the 1999 IEEE Aerospace Conference - Snowmass at Aspen, CO, USA Duration: Mar 6 1999 → Mar 13 1999 |
Other
| Other | Proceedings of the 1999 IEEE Aerospace Conference |
|---|---|
| City | Snowmass at Aspen, CO, USA |
| Period | 3/6/99 → 3/13/99 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Engineering