Hi,
I'm a payload subsystem member of a student satellite team.Infrared imaging is our main payload.It is a nano-satellite with a weight of roughly 3 kgs.Presently we are in the design phase.The altitude of the orbit is roughly 800 Kms. The applications we finalized were the following:
1.Cloud monitoring
2.Ocean surface imaging
3.Observe urban heat islands.
4.Snow cover and polar caps monitoring(depends on orbit inclination)
We had decided on the QUARK model IR camera manufactured by FLIR company.Most of the features look good.But, the range of detection is very less.Actually, the camera would be clicking the image from roughly 800 Kms.
Can you kindly go briefly through the features and conclude whether it could be implemented for the above applications in the satellite.(especially the range of detection looks bad).I couldn't post the link to the datasheet of this camera because of the forum rules. The page can be got through google search.
It would be great if you would mention some companies better than this in IR space imaging.Because this company doesn't manufacture space graded cameras.
Awaiting for your reply,
Thank you.