Hyperspectral cameras are useful Earth observation sensors with many practical applications in agriculture and forest remote sensing for detecting and classifying the state of objects. Recently, CubeSats satellites were launched into low Earth orbits. These satellites have certain advantages, such as low cost and short-term development, and their practical applications are continuously increasing. The installation of a hyperspectral camera on CubeSats would significantly increase their observation frequency. However, to fit on a CubeSat, observation instruments must be compact and weigh only a few hundred grams. To address this challenge, we developed a 35-g miniaturized hyperspectral camera by combining a linear variable band-pass filter and an image sensor. This innovative camera was installed on two CubeSats and launched into orbit in 2023 and 2024. The on-orbit experiments conducted using these CubeSats were successful, and valuable hyperspectral data were obtained.
We describe scientific objective and project status of an astronomical 6U CubeSat mission VERTECS (Visible Extragalactic background RadiaTion Exploration by CubeSat). The scientific goal of VERTECS is to reveal the star-formation history along the evolution of the universe by measuring the extragalactic background light (EBL) in the visible wavelength. Earlier observations have shown that the near-infrared EBL is several times brighter than integrated light of individual galaxies. As candidates for the excess light, first-generation stars in the early universe or low-redshift intra-halo light have been proposed. Since these objects are expected to show different emission spectra in visible wavelengths, multi-color visible observations are crucial to reveal the origin of the excess light. Since detection sensitivity of the EBL depends on the product of the telescope aperture and the field of view, it is possible to observe it with a small but wide-field telescope system that can be mounted on the limited volume of CubeSat. In VERTECS mission, we develop a 6U CubeSat equipped with a 3U-sized telescope optimized for observation of the visible EBL. The bus system composed of onboard computer, electric power system, communication subsystem, and structure is based on heritage of series of CubeSats developed at Kyushu Institute of Technology in combination with high-precision attitude control subsystem and deployable solar array paddle required for the mission. The VERTECS mission was selected for JAXA-Small Satellite Rush Program (JAXA-SMASH Program), a new program that encourages universities, private companies and JAXA to collaborate to realize small satellite missions utilizing commercial small launch opportunities, and to diversify transportation services in Japan. We started the satellite development in December 2022 and plan to launch the satellite in FY2025.
KEYWORDS: Sensors, Signal to noise ratio, Agriculture, Remote sensing, RGB color model, Hyperspectral imaging, Cameras, Radio optics, Satellites, Data communications
Hokkaido Satellite Project was kicked off at April in 2003 by the volunteer group that consists of students, researchers and
engineers in order to demonstrate the space business models using nanosatellites of 15kg/50kg in Japan. The Hokkaido satellite
named "TAIKI" is characterized by a hyperspectral sensor with a VNIR (visible and near infrared range) and a laser
communication instrument for data downlink communication. At the beginning of 2008 we started to develop a space qualified
hyperspectral sensor HSC3000 based on the optical design of HSC1700. Last year we developed the hyperspectral camera
HSC-3000 BBM funded by New Energy Development Organization (NEDO) as the position of the breadboard model of
HSC3000. HSC-3000 BBM is specified by the spectral range from 400nm to 1000nm, 81 spectral bands, image size of 640 x 480
pixels, radiometric resolution of 10 bits and data transfer rate of 200 f/s. By averaging outputs of several adjacent pixels to
increase S/N, HSC3000 of the spaceborne is targeted at the specification of 30 m spatial resolution, 61 spectral bands, 10 nm
spectral resolution and S/N300.
Spin-off technology of the hyperspectral imager is also introduced. We have succeeded to develop a hyperspectral camera as the
spin-off product named HSC1700 which installs both the hyperspectral sensor unit and a scanning mechanism inside. The
HSC1700 is specified by the spectral range from 400nm to 800nm, 81 spectral bands, image size of 640 x 480 pixels, radiometric
resolution of 8 bits and data transfer rate of 30 f/s.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
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.