MISTiC Winds: Midwave Infrared Sounding of Temperature and humidity in a Constellation for Winds (MISTiC)

The objective of MISTiC is to advance the readiness of a miniature, high resolution, wide field, thermal emission imaging spectrometer to measure vertically resolved tropospheric profiles of temperature and humidity for deriving global 3-D wind measurements. It will provide ~ 2-3 km spatial resolution temperature and humidity soundings of the troposphere using an AIRS-like (Atmospheric Infra-red Sounding) method. It will enable a LEO constellation approach that provides 3-D Wind field measurements and atmospheric state and transport observations at low system cost. Additionally, it will reduce technology risks with the Infrared Focal Plane Array (IRFPA) and spectrometer technologies critical for significant instrument size, weight and power reduction (15 x 25 x 25 cm, 15 kg, 50 W).

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