Micro-Hyperspec Provides Clouds and Aerosol Data to Support Carbon Dioxide and Methane Monitoring
Bolton, MA, March 8, 2017 ‚ Headwall ‘s compact and light Micro-Hyperspec is a hardened Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) imaging sensor now deployed on Claire, a small low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite produced and launched by GHGSat (Montreal, PQ Canada). At an altitude of 512km in a sun-synchronous polar orbit, the satellite collects high-resolution image data that targets greenhouse gas (GHG) and air quality gas (AQG) emissions at industrial sites around the globe.
With a robust sensor design focused on performance in harsh environments, Headwall ‘s Micro-Hyperspec operates at the Visible-Near-Infrared (VNIR) range of 400-1000nm with very high spectral and spatial resolution.
Having just completed its 500th measurement, the work undertaken by GHGSat and the Claire satellite is extremely beneficial in broadening the amount of environmental data that researchers can use to monitor carbon-based emissions from industrial sites. Site owners can also monitor emissions themselves by accessing data from GHGSat, anywhere on the globe and in near real-time.
Hyperspectral imaging technology, also known as imaging spectroscopy, provides a highly resolved view of earth monitoring at ranges far beyond the visible and across hundreds of spectral bands. A sensor proven for military/defense applications, Headwall ‘s Micro-Hyperspec is small, light, and robust spectral imager for LEO satellite use.
“GHGSat’s mission is to become the global reference for remote sensing of greenhouse gas (GHG) and air quality gas (AQG) emissions using our satellite technology,” said GHGSat President, CEO Stephane Germain. “We use the Micro-Hyperspec from Headwall to collect high-resolution image data in the VNIR range to support cloud and aerosol detection.”
GHGSat represents the latest commercial satellite payload for Headwall. “Small, commercial satellites such as GHGSat represent an important remote sensing tool for researchers,” said Headwall CEO David Bannon. “Breaking from the traditional high cost, high risk space development, Headwall’s performance and affordability are unmatched for these small-sat programs, and we’re very proud to be aboard GHGSat ‘s Claire satellite. “Fundamental to all Headwall solutions is a patented sensor design that maximizes spectral and spatial resolution and signal throughput while minimizing image aberrations across a wide field of view.
The Micro-Hyperspec sensor is small and light enough so that it can be one of several instruments on a nano-satellite. In addition to VNIR, Micro-Hyperspec is available in SWIR, NIR, and Extended VNIR versions.
About Headwall Photonics
Headwall Photonics is a leading designer and manufacturer of hyperspectral imaging spectrometers and spectral instrumentation for industrial, commercial, and government markets. Headwall ‘s high-performance instruments are in use by end-user corporations, OEMs, and universities around the world. Headwall enjoys a market leadership position through the design and manufacture of spectral instrumentation that is customized for application-specific performance.
For information about Headwall, contact:
Mr. Chris Van Veen, Headwall Photonics, Inc.
580 Main Street, Bolton, Massachusetts 01740 USA
Tel: +1 978-353-4051
http://www.headwallphotonics.com
Email: marketing@headwallphotonics.com
About GHGSat
GHGSat has built and launched the world’s first satellite capable of monitoring greenhouse gas (GHG) and air quality gas (AQG) emissions from any industrial site in the world. GHGSat’s novel technology will enable GHG and AQG measurement with better accuracy at a fraction of the cost of comparable alternatives. Owners of industrial facilities anywhere in the world and in near real-time will be able to monitor all of their facilities, local or remote, with a common technology. Significantly improved data collection technologies will enable industries to better measure, control, and ultimately reduce emissions of GHGs and AQGs.
For information about GHGSat, contact:
Mr. Stephane Germain, GHGSat
3981 St-Laurent, Suite 500, Montreal, Quebec
CANADA H2W 1Y5
Tel: +1-514-847-9474
Email: info@ghgsat.com
