The proposed effort was to design an optical sensor that would demonstrate the capability of linear detector arrays, coupled with a suitable telescope, to provide 2.5 meter spatial resolution from spacecraft altitudes. The two most difficult problems in building such a sensor are to arrange several detector arrays so that they appear to be contiguous and aligned and to design a collector telescope to image a reasonably wide swath width on the arrays with optical quality to match the required resolution. The Phase I effort was to carry out the design, including the positioning of the filters that will define the spectral bandpass, and to produce plans that could be used to fabricate a breadboard for aircraft testing of the concept. Off-the-shelf arrays, now being manufactured in the US, were to be used, and it was planned to explore several options for the telescope. This project was terminated upon the departure of the principle investigator from the company. Potential Commercial Application:The technique of butting several arrays could be of use to industrial applications of detector arrays.STATUS: Phase I Only
