Subscribe free to our newsletters via your
. 24/7 Space News .




EARTH OBSERVATION
Canadian Microbolometer Sensor Focusing on Oceans, Fires and Volcanoes
by Staff Writers
Longueuil, Canada (SPX) Jun 14, 2011


In effect, the NIRST instrument will provide a new tool to monitor forest fires and measure timely the mass of fire released carbon from space. As a signatory to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Canada is committed to this process. Canada's sensor technology will make it possible for scientists to advance understanding of the impacts of forest fires and other natural or human induced changes on global environment.

Canada's Earth Observation Program reached new heights Friday with the successful launch of the 4th Argentinian Satelite de Aplicaciones Cientificas (SAC-D) aboard a Delta II rocket.

The New InfraRed Sensor Technology (NIRST) instrument, jointly developed by Canada and Argentina, will be put into low Earth orbit together with seven other instruments on this five-year international partnership mission.

The NIRST instrument will be used to retrieve temperatures of the surface of the ocean and the hot spots such as forest fires and volcanic activities.

The microbolometer sensors, which are the heart of the NIRST instrument, were designed and investigated through Research and Development activities at the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), and subsequently microfabricated and space qualified by the Quebec-based company INO.

Through an agreement between the Canadian Space Agency and Argentina's National Commission of Space Activities (CONAE), the NIRST instrument was selected for this Earth observation mission.

In contributing the sensors and associated electronics, the CSA gains flight heritage for this new Canadian sensor technology and in return obtains access to the data produced by all eight instruments on board of the SAC-D spacecraft.

"Canada owns approximately 10 % of the world's forest and I am proud that we have developed and contributed our infrared sensor technology, which is recognised as a unique space solution to monitor forest fires and released pollutants, as well as other critical events that benefit from thermal remote sensing," stated CSA President Steve MacLean.

In effect, the NIRST instrument will provide a new tool to monitor forest fires and measure timely the mass of fire released carbon from space. As a signatory to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Canada is committed to this process. Canada's sensor technology will make it possible for scientists to advance understanding of the impacts of forest fires and other natural or human induced changes on global environment.

With the recent sensor technology license granted to INO by the CSA, INO is currently the world's only supplier of flight grade linear array of microbolometer sensor. INO followed up on a contract from CONAE for the delivery of the core cameras of the NIRST instrument with contracts to build and supply microbolometer sensors for the European Space Agency (ESA) EarthCare mission and for the Indian Space Agency (ISRO).

.


Related Links
Canadian Space Agency
Earth Observation News - Suppiliers, Technology and Application






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle








EARTH OBSERVATION
NASA's infrared image of major Hurricane Adrian reveals its stormy life's blood
Greenbelt MD (SPX) Jun 10, 2011
Strong thunderstorms are the life's blood of tropical cyclones, and infrared and radar satellite data from NASA confirms that the eastern Pacific Ocean's first hurricane has plenty of them and they're over 9 miles high. Adrian exploded in growth overnight from a tropical storm on June 8 to a major hurricane. NASA's Aqua satellite flew over Hurricane Adrian this morning at 8:29 UTC (1:59 a. ... read more


EARTH OBSERVATION
Blood Red Moon Predicted

NASA Releases New Lunar Eclipse Video

The Power of A Moon Rock

Looking at the volatile side of the Moon

EARTH OBSERVATION
Entry, descent and surface science for 2016 Mars mission

Up, Up and Away for Mars

Opportunity Heads Toward 'Spirit Point'

NASA Inspector General Report into the Management of MSL Project

EARTH OBSERVATION
Testing Spacesuits in Antarctica - part 4

Students Build Space Habitats at NASA's Johnson Space Center

Solar system edge 'bunches' in magnetic bubbles: NASA

NASA Spending Shift to Benefit Centers Focused on Science and Technology

EARTH OBSERVATION
China's second moon orbiter Chang'e-2 goes to outer space

Building harmonious outer space to achieve inclusive development

China's Fengyun-3B satellite goes into official operation

Venezuela, China to launch satellite next year

EARTH OBSERVATION
Space station puts out welcome mat

New Crew Members Arrive at ISS

Soyuz docks at ISS carrying Russian, US, Japanese astronauts

Soyuz heads to ISS carrying Russian, US, Japanese astronauts

EARTH OBSERVATION
SpaceX Secures Launch Contract In Major Asian Market

SES-3 Satellite Arrives At Baikonour Launch Base

Shipments Of Sea Launch Zenit-3Sl Hardware Resume On Schedule

US Army supports student launch program

EARTH OBSERVATION
Rage Against the Dying of the Light

Second Rocky World Makes Kepler-10 a Multi-Planet System

Kepler's Astounding Haul of Multiple-Planet Systems Just Keeps Growing

Bennett team discovers new class of extrasolar planets

EARTH OBSERVATION
Nokia says Apple to pay royalties, ending patent disputes

Japan city to give radiation counters to children

Japan city to give radiation counters to children

Lockheed Martin's Prepar3D Software to Soar at National Flight Academy




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement