Title: HyTES transition to the ER-2 platform
Presenting Author: William R. Johnson
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Co-Author(s): Simon Hook, Bjorn Eng

Abstract:
Spectroscopy has been a key part of scientific exploration because of its ability to remotely determine elemental and mineralogical composition. Mineralogy in particular is critical, because the presence and configuration of minerals within a geologic setting can reveal environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure) at the time of formation and/or evolution. Spectroscopy allows the discrimination of minerals such as olivine, pyroxene, plagioclase, quartz, clays, sulfates, and carbonates. For example, mineralogy can provide key constraints on processes such as internal differentiation and alteration by water. Many key gas species such as methane, ammonia, sulfur, etc. also have vibrational bands which show up in the thermal infrared spectrum above the background response. The airborne Hyperspectral thermal emission spectrometer (HyTES) allows remote retrieval of this type of information. HyTES was originally funded under NASA’s instrument incubator program (iip), and is currently completing an AITT where it was modified to work on NASA’s ER-2 platform. HyTES flew a demonstration flight on the ER-2 and obtained data over a few sites at full altitude. We discuss the transition as well as specific challenges faced with installation, operation and calibration. For example, the sensor is outside the pressurized zone of the ER-2 in order to eliminate the need for a 2nd window. We discuss the large temperature swings in this location and how this affects calibration (performed pre and post flight on the ground). Currently, HyTES uses sensing technology based on the quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP). The HyTES instrument will soon be transitioning to a new complementary barrier infrared photodetector (CBIRD) detector array, which has a slightly longer wave cut-off and increased sensitivity. We expect this to expand the wide application base of the instrument.