Calibration Home Base for the Airborne Imaging Spectrometer APEX

Abstract

ESA currently builds the airborne hyper-spectral push broom imaging spectrometer APEX operat-ing in the spectral range from 380 to 2500 nm. In the scope of the APEX project a large variety of characterization measurements will be performed for verification of the instrument performance. Later, during the operational phases, regular instrument checks will be executed, i.e., on-board characterization and frequent laboratory characterization. For on-ground characterisation, a dedicated characterisation and calibration facility is in preparation to enable a comprehensive and accurate calibration of the instrument. The so-called "Calibration Home Base" (CHB) is located at DLR Oberpfaffenhofen and will be operational from 2006. The CHB provides all hard- and software tools required for radiometric, spectral and geometric on-ground characterisation and calibration of the instrument and its internal references.