High-Altitude, Long-Endurance, Visible Through Extended SWIR Hyperspectral Imaging for Earth Sciences

NASA has identified long-endurance, sub-orbital, stratospheric observations from High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) as a key future capability for the Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) mission, and supporting the needs of commercial and government organizations for ecological, climate, earth resource and emergency management information. A key source of data for SBG and other applications is hyperspectral imaging (HSI) over the Visible through Short Wave Infrared spectral region (VSWIR). VSWIR HSI systems have been flown on aircraft below 50,000 ft and recently on low-Earth orbiting satellites. However, these platforms do not meet the combined wide-area coverage, spatial resolution, station keeping and long duration diurnal measurement requirements of SBG measurement campaigns. A HAPS VSWIR HSI solution is therefore an important science mission objective for NASA. Spectral Sciences, Inc. (SSI) proposes an innovative combination of our rugged Terrestrial Hyperspectral Imaging Apparatus (THIA) pushbroom VSWIR HSI, the Sceye Inc. Stratospheric HAPS, and Hood Technologies gimbal technology to meet SBG sensing needs. Our team proposes to fly THIA in a demonstration of HAPS capability to collect VSWIR HSI imagery from above 60,000 ft. In Phase I, we will develop a concept of operations and preliminary mission plan for a THIA-HAPS flight.

o Support to NASA Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) mission - Collect Visible through SWIR (VSWIR) spectral reflectance data of earth - Spatial resolution superior to satellite footprint - Diurnal and seasonal observations of plant chemistry and physiology - Fill in temporal gaps due to VSWIR HSI satellite data collection limits and revisit time - Target specific sites and regions for continuous observations o Measuring changing earth surface properties for ecology and climate assessment - Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem function - Condition of snow and ice - Geologic composition, mineralogy, and geothermal mapping o Quick response support to disaster monitoring o Agricultural crop monitoring - Plant health and drought indicators o Industrial emissions monitoring – Methane and greenhouse gases o Disaster management – Continuous monitoring of wildfires, flooding, earthquakes, etc. - HAPS system will be above first responder’s airspace o Geospatial mapping – Changes due to climactic and sudden events o Geothermal exploration – hidden vents from surrounding plants and minerals

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