Headwall Photonics has completed the design, manufacture, and test of the space-qualified hyperspectral sensor payload for NT Space, a leading technology supplier and integrator of satellites and spacecraft and a subsidiary of NEC and Toshiba. The Headwall sensor systems have been delivered to NT Space for integration onto one of the world's foremost remote sensing satellite missions.

With this hyperspectral space platform, Headwall has introduced a new class of hyperspectral imaging sensors specifically designed for small satellite payloads that offer the industry's highest optical efficiency and widest field of view.

The Hyperspec Space sensors offer government programs and commercial satellite providers the ability to cost-effectively deliver new data services and imagery with a very small, affordable sensor payload that covers the VNIR (380-1000nm) and SWIR (950-2500nm) spectral regions.

With many years as an instrument supplier to NASA, Headwall was selected by NT Space to manufacture spectral imaging instrumentation in support of the scientific and remote sensing applications of the Japanese satellite mission.

Japan's satellite will offer the world's first commercial hyperspectral data service products. Hyperspectral imagery is a critical technology in that it offers the remote sensing community the ability to detect not only the presence of objects but also identify, characterize, and quantify objects within the field of view of the satellite.

Headwall has very unique engineering capabilities which are well-suited for critical satellite and airborne applications. Headwall was selected because of its proven hyperspectral technology designs that offer a very tall image slit without introducing image distortions. This allows researchers to utilize a very wide field of view on the ground with exceptional spectral and spatial resolution--critical performance attributes for any satellite deployment.

"Headwall is very proud of its strong partnership with NT Space and the high level of technical collaboration generated throughout this project," said David Bannon, Headwall's Chief Executive Officer. "NT Space is a leading provider of space technologies and integrated solution platforms and we look forward to continued efforts on future projects."