PHYSICAL SCIENCES INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: AF182-115

Description

Physical Sciences Inc. proposes to design and develop a low-cost, broadband hyperspectral imaging system capability for the detection of energetic events from orbital platforms. The design effort will consider all facets of the problem in developing a system model that includes: 1) the spectral characteristics of these events in the 2.0 to 5.0 m wavelength region, 2) the ability to discriminate against clutter effects such as solar reflections (glints) from ground sources as well as high altitude clouds, 3) the magnitude and temporal characteristics of the event radiance as a function of munition caliber or rocket motor type, 4) the impact of atmospheric transmission and radiance on the signatures of these events when observed from orbital platforms, and 5) the tradeoffs between apparent signature levels, ground sampling distance, required aperture size, and temporal resolution in determining total spatial coverage and persistence. Capability and solution based key performance parameters will be defined and used to guide breadboard development and demonstration. The effort will produce a conceptual design as well as capabilities development and interface documents for a sensor to be built in Phase II.