Successful test flights of HySpex

Team vor dem Flugzeug . HySpex

In December 2011, the EOC acquired a new airborne hyperspectral sensor. The HySpex system, developed by the Norwegian company Norsk Elektro Optikk (NEO), comprises two imaging spectrometers with spectral ranges of 400 – 1000 nm and 1000 – 2500 nm. Airworthiness certification and initial test flights onboard DLR's Cessna C 208B were performed in March 2012. NEO accompanied the flights, which also served as final system acceptance. These flights included the acquisition of over 80 GB of hyperspectral image data that was collected at different flight altitudes and sensor settings (binning, field of view, framerate) in order to optimize  the sensor for future flights. During overflight DLR personal on the ground made accompanying measurements using a field spectrometer to determine the spectral and radiometric accuracy. In addition, the flights above DLR's test field in Kaufbeuren allow for an assessment of the sensor’s  geometric properties.

HySpex is currently in EOC's optics laboratory, the Calibration Home Base, in order to determine in detail the sensor properties. Preparations have begun of obtaining an airworthiness certification for a second research aircraft, DLR's Dornier DO228-212. HySpex is being integrated into EOC’s user Service OpAiRS (Optical Airborne Remote Sensing and Calibration Facility) and shall be operated in May for the TERENO project and for EnMAP preparatory campaigns. HySpex will be made available to the hyperspectral community starting in 2013.