A geosynchronous imaging Fourier transform spectrometer (GIFTS) for hyperspectral atmospheric remote sensing: instrument overview and preliminary performance results

The Geosynchronous Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (GIFTS) was developed for the NASA New Millennium Program (NMP) Earth Observing-3 (EO-3) mission. This paper discusses the GIFTS measurement requirements and the technology utilized by the GIFTS sensor to provide the required system performance. Also presented are preliminary results from the recently completed calibration of the instrument. The GIFTS NMP mission challenge was to demonstrate new and emerging sensor and data processing technologies to make revolutionary improvements in meteorological observational capability and forecasting accuracy using atmospheric imaging and hyperspectral sounding methods. The GIFTS sensor is an imaging FTS with programmable spectral resolution and spatial scene selection, allowing radiometric accuracy and atmospheric sounding precision to be traded in near-real time for area coverage. System sensitivity is achieved through the use of a cryogenic Michelson interferometer and two large-area, IR focal plane detector arrays. Due to funding limitations, the GIFTS sensor module was completed as an engineering demonstration unit, which can be upgraded for flight qualification. Capability to meet the next generation geosynchronous sounding requirements has been successfully demonstrated through thermal vacuum testing and rigorous IR calibration activities.