A space instrument application of an uncooled infrared microbolometer array

Microbolometer-based infrared array technology is making rapid progress in a variety of commercial and tactical military applications. Its suitability for space instrument applications is examined. Due to fundamental differences in sensitivity between uncooled and cooled detectors, a measurement strategy consistent with the microbolometer technology is needed. A specific example, ozone limb sounding in the Mid IR, was the topic of a recent study, and the results of this study, including the measurement requirements, approach, and on-board data processing approach are presented. The study concluded that an instrument based on a microbolometer array could dramatically improve Earth coverage, vertical resolution, and mixing ratio accuracy. A microbolometer array has already flown and performed well in space as part of a get-away special aboard the shuttle. A key space qualification test, high energy proton total dose testing, has been successfully completed and is reported.