Harris is developing a flight demonstration version of a HyperCube satellite that could be flown as early as 2019. The instrument section requires 11 W of the total 21 W power distribution.įigure 1: Observation concept of the future HyperCube constellation (image credit: Harris) The mass of the full satellite is 12.2 kg, while the overall volume is 11.6 x 24 x 36.6 cm (6U). The FPA is cooled to cryogenic temperatures using a two-stage passive cooler, similar to the cooler used by the Harris HIRS (High-resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder) instrument, with some new, innovative advancements to fit in the compact CubeSat geometry. Simple focusing optics behind the interferometer place the optical beam onto a 2D FPA. The interferometer performs an OPD (Optical Path Difference) sweep and creates a double-sided interferogram in each sweep. Earth radiance passes through the scanner and feeds a corner-cube Michelson interferometer. The step-stare scanner performs cross-track step-stares, each with a fixed stare time. The instrument includes an FTS interferometer, a cross-track step-stare scanner, a compact aft-optics telescope, a two-dimensional (2D) infrared FPA (Focal Plane Array), and an internal calibration target. The instrument contains an FTS (Fourier Transform Spectrometer)-based hyperspectral sounder, and its design utilizes heritage components from prior Harris hyperspectral instruments. The HyperCube satellite consists of two major sections the instrument section and the spacecraft section. This allows frequent wind data ingestion into numerical weather forecast models. The swath width allows for full global 3D wind measurements every 6 hours. The instruments measure three-dimensional (3D) distributions of atmospheric water vapor, and by measuring the same region of the atmosphere at different times, they are able to infer wind velocities at multiple vertical locations in the atmosphere (i.e., 3D wind measurements).Īn operational CubeSat constellation would consist of 12 satellites, grouped into four "triplets" of satellites that have identical ground tracks but separated by about 15 minutes. HyperCube is a constellation of 6U CubeSats equipped with MWIR (Mid-Wave Infrared) hyperspectral instruments. The HyperCube Mission and Operational Concept The smallsats are developed in connection with the SDL/USU (Space Dynamics Lab of Utah State University), who provides the spacecraft for the HyperCube mission. Harris packages this proven technology in a smaller, lower mass solution, called the HyperCube CubeSat. The CrIS, also a Fourier transform spectrometer, has been providing more accurate atmospheric temperature, pressure, and moisture observations since 2011. The design of HyperCube improves upon the highly successful CrIS (Cross-track Infrared Sounder) aboard the Suomi NPP satellite. HyperCube™ also offers collection time flexibility, allowing for more mission coverage than alternative technologies. It delivers more vertical layers of wind vector data at fine spatial resolution, resulting in more accurate data than other available solutions.ĭata accuracy is maintained using an onboard calibration target capable of precise, absolute calibration. 1)Įnabled by the sounding technology of Harris, HyperCube provides hundreds of hyperspectral bands for the best instrument resolution in the small satellite market. A Fourier Transform Spectrometer, the HyperCube 6U CubeSat is much smaller and less expensive than conventional systems, and offers a more expedient implementation alternative to complex LiDAR wind measurement programs. HyperCube is a spaceborne three-dimensional sounding instrument designed to measure the speed, direction, and elevation of wind in Earth's atmosphere. Harris provides HyperCube, a cost-effective solution. HyperCube™ (Hyperspectral CubeSat Mission - 3D Wind Measurement)Īccurate wind measurement information has been identified as a top priority to improving weather forecasting models. Other, Atmospheric chemistry, Data collection
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