Development of advanced miniaturized Dyson imaging spectrometer for Mars rover and small aircraft

The Canadian Space Agency and the Defence Research and Development Canada are jointly developing an advanced miniaturized imaging spectrometer for future Mars rover and onboard a small aircraft. This work is the further development of the two previous concept studies for Mars: Canadian Hyperspectral Imager for Mars Exploration and Resource Assessment (CHIMERA) and Hyperspectral and Luminescence Observer (HALO). Based on outcomes of the concept studies, a Dyson spectrometer design was selected as the imaging spectrometer due to its compactness, high optical output and low distortion. This paper briefly describes the options of imaging spectrometers proposed in the HALO study. Then the requirements of the advanced miniaturized imaging spectrometer system are provided. Finally the preliminary results of the development of the Dyson imaging spectrometer system will be reported.