Two image collects released by Tactical Satellite-3 demonstration program

  • Published
  • By Michael Kleiman
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Air Force officials have released two image collects obtained by the Tactical Satellite-3's primary payload, the Advanced Responsive Tactically-Effective Military Imaging Spectrometer, during the experimental demonstration's 13-month mission.

One image featuring the Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii, and the other showing the National Mall, Washington, D.C. was released by program personnel at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. and Kirtland AFB, N.M.

"The TacSat-3's ARTEMIS sensor accomplished over 2,200 data collects during its initial employment in space and validated its potential use in support of the warfighter. Both released images are modified three-spectral band renderings from the 400 plus available bands in the imaging spectrometer data cubes," said Dr. Thomas Cooley, TacSat-3 program manager.

"Regarding the images, the project had a Proper Use Memorandum which gave us the legal authority to collect data from both locations to support technical validation of the sensor."

Developed by Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, the ARTEMIS consists of a trio of components: a telescope, a spectrometer and an onboard digital signal processor provided by SEAKR Engineering and Space Computer Corp.. In addition, ATK Spacecraft Systems and Services' TacSat-3 modular bus accomplished the sensor pointing and thermal control required to obtain the hyperspectral images.

Operational control of the spacecraft transferred June 12 from the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate at Kirtland to Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colo.