A Special Issue on Hyperspectral Imaging [From the Guest Editors]

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) for geoscience remote sensing and Earth observation has been around since the mid-1980s. For many years, it was the purview of research laboratories and proof-of-concept satellite missions. Hundreds of research articles have been published exploring algorithms for analysis and demonstrating applications across many Earth observational fields of interest. Most have focused on a relatively small group of publicly available data sets due to the high cost of sensor operation and collection of ground reference data necessary for algorithm and product evaluation. More recently, as the cost of focal planes and sensor technology has decreased, together with the emergence of inexpensive unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems and Cube- Sats/smallSats in space access, the availability of hyperspectral imagery is poised to grow dramatically. Several airborne and spaceborne systems have been deployed or are being planned. Commercial remote sensing and image processing software systems provide more support and extended functionality for such data, while the practical use of hyperspectral data in both commercial and scientific applications has increased. The community now has access to relatively low-cost UAV systems and data and will soon see more routine availability of space-based HSI data. This special issue of IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine on HSI was put together based on the recognition that the field is on the cusp of expanded data availability. While formerly the domain of a relatively small group of specialists, it is anticipated HSI data will soon become available to a wider range of scientists and data users. This special issue was compiled to bring together a comprehensive look at the characteristics, phenomenology, algorithms, and applications as a resource for practitioners and students who wish to gain familiarity with the field.