Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean: instrument description and first images

TLDR

The Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HICO) is the first spaceborne hyperspectral sensor designed for coastal, estuarial, riverine, and other shallow‑water areas, building on extensive airborne sensor experience and using commercial off‑the‑shelf components to create a low‑cost, rapid‑development space sensor. The study aims to describe HICO’s design and characterization and present its first images from the ISS. HICO produces hyperspectral images across 400–900 nm with a ≈90 m ground sample distance at nadir and a high signal‑to‑noise ratio. HICO is now operating on the ISS, providing 42 km cross‑track by 192 km along‑track fields of view that cover 8000 km², and early images have been captured.

Abstract

The Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HICO) is the first spaceborne hyperspectral sensor designed specifically for the coastal ocean and estuarial, riverine, or other shallow-water areas. The HICO generates hyperspectral images, primarily over the 400-900 nm spectral range, with a ground sample distance of ≈90 m (at nadir) and a high signal-to-noise ratio. The HICO is now operating on the International Space Station (ISS). Its cross-track and along-track fields of view are 42 km (at nadir) and 192 km, respectively, for a total scene area of 8000 km(2). The HICO is an innovative prototype sensor that builds on extensive experience with airborne sensors and makes extensive use of commercial off-the-shelf components to build a space sensor at a small fraction of the usual cost and time. Here we describe the instrument's design and characterization and present early images from the ISS.