EarthGaze – Small and ultralight spectroscopic camera for space applications

A large number of spaceborne and airborne monitoring missions are conducted to measure various parameters of the Earth’s surface using off-the-shelf optical components. However, these components are often bulky and require careful alignment and intricate assembly processes, limiting their functionality.

In the EarthGaze project, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology is developing the EarthGaze metasurface optical system: a precise, ultralight, compact, affordable and multifunctional spectroscopic imaging camera based on emerging technology of metasurfaces. This remote sensing instrument will enable comprehensive characterisation of the Earth’s atmosphere while significantly reducing the cost and effort of deploying remote sensing instruments, making it particularly attractive for airborne and spaceborne applications.

Benefits:

• Weight reduction for lower launch costs and increased payload capacity of earth observation satellites.
• Enhanced optical performance increases the amount of data that can be collected by a single device.
• A reduction in system complexity can lead to decreased manufacturing time and reduced maintenance needs.
• Streamlined manufacturing and scalability can result in substantial cost savings and make advanced optical performance more accessible for research and commercial applications.