Title: Multiband Uncooled Radiometer Instrument (MURI) for NASA Instrument Incubator Program (IIP)
Presenting Author: Philip Ely
Organization: DRS Technologies
Co-Author(s): CoI - Ray Wagoner, DRS Technologies Science; CoI - Dr. John Kerekes, Rochester Institute of Technology

Abstract:
The objective of the DRS proposed MURI IIP program is to demonstrate that modern, low cost, large area micro-bolometer FPAs can be utilized to provide narrow band radiometrically accurate imaging in 6 LWIR bands for Earth Science applications from airborne and spaceborne platforms. The potential earth science applications for this technology are Land Surface Climatology, measurement of soil moisture content, measurement of Ecosystem Dynamics, Volcano Monitoring, Methane Detection, Hazard monitoring, Geology and Soils. On the IIP Program, DRS has designed, is building, and will test and demonstrate uncooled micro-bolometer breadboard sensor hardware utilizing a piezo stage to backscan the FPA assembly to stabilize the image for earth observation imaging. Our Science partner, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), will support the airborne data collects, radiometric data analysis and comparison to LANDSAT 8 for a "truth reference" and the science implementation aspect of the instrument data collects. DRS/RIT will collect airborne data for three primary applications in 6 spectral bands. The first will assess initial data quality and calibration with known targets deployed, the second will demonstrate scientific products available over vegetative and urban environments, while the third will demonstrate methane detection.