HyTI (Hyperspectral Thermal Imager)

HyTI Deployment from the ISS in April 2024

HyTI deorbited on December 17, 2024.

HyTI Mission Outcome

The majority of the stated goals and objectives of HyTI were accomplished.
Although the payload was not able to be operated on orbit, the CubeSat was successfully delivered and integrated in compliance with the ISS safety and interface requirements, and successfully launched and deployed into orbit and initial communication was established.

The HyTI project yielded several significant technical benefits. Specifically, the project successfully integrated JPL's High Operating Temperature (HOT) Barrier Infrared Detector (BIRD) focal plane array (FPA) technology with the University of Hawaiʻi's imaging interferometer. This integration was a key step in advancing the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of these components, aligning with NASA's goals of developing and demonstrating innovative technologies for Earth science and space exploration. Additionally, the project involved the use of the Unibap DDiX5 space computer for onboard data processing, further showcasing the potential of advanced computing technologies for small satellite platforms.

From an educational perspective, the project provided hands-on experience for a large number of
undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Hawaiʻi, in addition to developing a workforce of professional engineers. These students and graduates gained practical skills in spacecraft design, development, testing, and operations, preparing them for future careers in the aerospace industry. This educational impact aligns directly with NASA's goals of inspiring and developing the next generation of scientists and engineers.

The HyTI project's advancements in hyperspectral thermal imaging technology benefits the
science community by enabling more accurate and detailed measurements of Earth's surface and
atmosphere. The successful integration of advanced technologies like the HIGP imaging interferometer, JPL's HOT BIRD FPA, and the Unibap DDiX5 space computer on a small satellite platform furthers innovation and demonstrates the potential of small satellites for conducting sophisticated scientific observations and technology demonstrations, opening up new possibilities for future missions.

HyTI Mission Overview

The HyTI (Hyperspectral Thermal Imager) is a technology demonstration mission by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa designed to demonstrate how high spatial resolution (60 m ground resolution element), high spectral resolution (25 bands), and long-wave infrared image data can be acquired to monitor water resources using a 6U CubeSat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HyTI will map irrigated and rainfed cropland, determine crop water use, and establish crop water productivity of major world crops.

The project is a collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP), the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Microdevices Laboratory, West Coast Solutions, Quest Unlimited, American Infrared (AIRS), SaraniaSat, and New England Optical Systems (NEOS). It received funding from NASA’s Earth Science Technology Office InVEST program. ISISpace was contracted to provide the 6U CubeSat platform.

The novel HyTI technologies to be space validated for the first time via LEO flight are:

  • Hyperspectral Imager: The HyTI Hyperspectral Imager instrument will be designed and developed by HSFL and the Hawaiʻi Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP). Both HSFL and HIGP have a well-established track record of designing and successfully demonstrating state-of-the-art small satellites and imaging payloads ranging from the visible to the IR, including compact hyperspectral imaging for remote-sensing observations. Based on the Fabry-Perot Interferometer principle, the HyTI Hyperspectral Imager is a unique instrument (TRL 5), and will deliver spatial resolution similar to current Landsat-8 performance, but with higher spectral resolution. In a 430 km orbit, the HyTI instrument will have ground sampling resolution of 60 m for up to 50 spectral samples in the 8.0-10.7 micron wavelength range, with a peak signal-to-noise ratio of ~500:1. HIGP has successfully demonstrated the proposed “no moving parts” hyperspectral imager for a wide range of Department of Defense programs, as well as for a NASA Instrument Incubator Program.
  • TIR Imager Focal Plane: The heart of the HyTI hyperspectral imager is a 2 Dimensional, BIRD FPA designed and developed at JPL. BIRD imagers have high uniformity, low cost, low noise and higher operating temperatures than previously-flown TIR FPAs. JPL will supply the 2D FPA within an Integrated Dewar Cooler Assembly to HSFL.
  • High-Performance Onboard Computing: Onboard computing (OBC) has been the “holy grail” of scientific, remote-sensing missions. The extremely high volume (estimated 3 Petabytes over a nominal 1-year mission life) of raw hyperspectral imagery justifies the implementation of OBC. SaraniaSat Inc. has developed fast, low computational “footprint” algorithms for weak-signal detection, sensor fusion, and orthorectification which, when operating on the advanced Unibap e2160 heterogeneous OBC platform, promise to achieve fast turnaround (within 24 hrs of acquisition) of the processed data and information products.

HyTI before being packaged and delivered, to be launched to the International Space Station in 2024.

HyTI was selected in 2019 by NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) to be launched as part of the ELaNa program.

HyTI was launched aboard the Dragon CRS-2 SpX-30 mission to the International Space Station on March 21, 2024, at 10:55 am HST/4:55 pm EDT.

HyTI was deployed from the ISS on April 18, 2024.

HSFL established initial contact with HyTI and commissioning of the spacecraft was initiated.

January 2025:

Communication attempts ceased as of September 30, 2024

HyTI deorbited on December 17th, 2024

HyTI Publications

  • Find list of publications HERE

Relevant Links: