INS-2B Nano-MX In-Orbit Sensor Performance and Initial Data Processing Results

The India-Bhutan SAT (INS-2B) satellite was launched on 26th November 2022 from the Indian Spaceport Sriharikota. The Nano-MX instrument onboard the INS-2B satellite provides multispectral remote sensing images over the Indian subcontinent. The primary objective of Nano-MX is to map Bhutan for natural resource monitoring, including forest assessment, wetland monitoring, and snow/glacier studies. The paper presents insight into the radiometric and geometric performance of Nano-MX using in-orbit sensor data. The radiometric correction procedures adopted for Nano-MX raw images are described, SNR performance and MTF measurement from Nano-MX images are computed. The geometric performance includes Band-to-Band Registration (BBR) characterization and improved location accuracy of Nano-MX data products estimated at diverse terrains. The reflectance profile generated from Nano-MX images is plotted for spectral bands, and Nano-MX surface reflectance is cross-validated with Landsat-9 OLI. In addition, Bhutan country-level mosaic using Nano-MX images confirms spatial/spectral fidelity across large geographical regions. The initial data processing results show that INS-2B Nano-MX radiometric and geometric quality parameters meet the required sensor specifications.