NIST in Space: Better Remote Sensors for Better Science

The objective of this research was to determine feasibility of improving measurement accuracy of space based remote sensors operating in the UV/VIS/NIR bands (250 nm - 3000 nm) by an order of magnitude over technology currently used in space and in electro-optic laboratories throughout the world. Improvements in measurement accuracy are needed to benefit a broad range of science in the field. Specifically, our objective was to devise a practical system architecture that could achieve measurement accuracies comparable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) while operating in a space flight environment.