Recent Advances in Earth Remote Sensing: Fourier Transform Static Hyperspectral Imagers

Future trends for the development of new remote sensing imagers have being defined since the launch of the first Fourier Transform HyperSpectral Imager (FTHSI) on board of DoD technological satellite MightySat II.1. Starting from the analysis of FTHSI optical configuration we have proposed an interesting modification which would allow to acquire the image of the observed surface with superimposed the corresponding interference pattern. This new optical arrangement together with the possibility to accommodate the spectral resolution by changing the device optical aperture and the sensor sampling step make these instruments interesting for the remote sensing of the Earth. In this paper we present some preliminary results obtained from a laboratory prototype developed at our Institute. Some hints are discussed about the use of such an instrument on board of airborne and satellite platforms.