Fact Sheet

Text Size

HICO and RAIDS Experiment Payload - Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HREP-HICO)
05.23.12

Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Images

Experiment/Payload Overview

Brief Summary

HICO and RAIDS Experiment Payload - Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HREP-HICO) operates a specialized visible and near-infrared camera to detect, identify and quantify coastal features from the International Space Station. The experiment demonstrates the retrieval of coastal products including the water depth, the water clarity, chlorophyll content, and sea floor composition for civilian and naval purposes.

Principal Investigator

  • Mike Corson, , Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia), United States

    • Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

    Information Pending

    Payload Developer

    The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, CA, United States
    Johnson Space Center, United States Department of Defense Space Test Program, Houston, TX, United States

    Sponsoring Space Agency

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

    Sponsoring Organization:

    Information Pending

    ISS Expedition Duration:

    March 2009 - October 2013



    Expeditions Assigned

    19/20, 21/22, 23/24, 25/26, 27/28, 29/30, 31/32, 33/34, 35/36

    Previous ISS Missions

    HREP-HICO is a unique investigation that has not been performed on spacecraft before.

    ^ back to top


    Experiment/Payload Description

    Research Summary

    • HICO and RAIDS Experiment Payload (HREP) combines two experiment sensors: the Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HICO) and the Remote Atmospheric and Ionospheric Detection System (RAIDS), into one payload.


    • HREP-HICO operates a visible and near-infrared hyperspectral imager optimized for environmental characterization of the coastal zone.


    • HREP-HICO demonstrates the retrieval of coastal ocean depth, chlorophyll content, sea floor composition and water visibility, which are vital for rapid and safe maneuvers in coastal environments.


    • HREP-HICO provides hyperspectral imagery of coastal environments to the scientific community to aid the development and validation of new coastal products.

    Description

    The HICO and RAIDS Experiment Payload (HREP) consists of two instruments, the Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HICO) and the Remote Atmospheric and Ionospheric Detection System (RAIDS). The objective of HICO and RAIDS Experiment Payload - Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HREP-HICO) is to launch and operate a rapid-development, cost-constrained visible and near-infrared (VNIR) Maritime Hyperspectral Imaging (MHSI) system, to demonstrate the detection, identification and quantification of littoral (coast of an ocean or sea) and terrestrial geophysical features. The instrumentation monitors wavelengths from the visible to the near-infrared (VNIR) with a ground spatial resolution of about 95 m2 per pixel. HREP-HICO validates the performance of MHSI technology in space and demonstrates its effectiveness in meeting Department of Defense (DoD) requirements. HREP-HICO provides an initial data stream to introduce new Department of Defense (DoD) users to MHSI data products and develop data dissemination channels. Hyperspectral image data from HREP-HICO also has significant application in the civil remote sensing community. Extensive experience with airborne hyperspectral image data has demonstrated its utility for land use and land cover, vegetation type, vegetation stress and health, and crop yield. In the ocean, bathymetry (depth measurement of large bodies of water), bottom type, and water optical properties are of great interest to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other agencies with marine responsibilities. The detector could also have uses in the determination of the environmental impact of natural and unnatural disasters. These applications are of immediate interest to the United States Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Homeland Security, and Interior, as well as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

    ^ back to top


    Applications

    Space Applications

    Imagery captured by HREP-HICO during its long-duration mission on the ISS provides insight into the effects of varying lighting and viewing geometries, and the effects of other mission parameters, on the accuracy of products derived from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observations. Observations that are made from LEO create the model for planetary exploration observations on future long-duration missions.

    Earth Applications

    HREP-HICO validates the performance of MHSI technology in space and demonstrates its utility to meet Department of Defense requirements.

    ^ back to top


    Operations

    Operational Requirements

    HREP-HICO is mounted to the International Space Station (ISS) exterior on JEM-EF at position number six. It requires power provided by the ISS, and uses the ISS for commanding and data downlink. All interaction is via the POIC and no crew interaction is planned other than installation and removal via extravehicular robotics (EVR).

    Operational Protocols

    HREP-HICO is launched to the ISS as a part of the HTV-1 mission. EVR mounts HREP-HICO to the JEM-EF and removes it for disposal on a later HTV flight.

    ^ back to top


    Results/More Information

    ^ back to top


    Related Web Sites
  • Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean

    • ^ back to top


    Publications

    ^ back to top


    Ground Based Results Publications

    ^ back to top


    ISS Patent Publications

    ^ back to top


    Related Publications

    ^ back to top


    Images

    imageThe HREP-HICO imager on its rotating spindle. Image courtesy of the Naval Research Laboratory.


    + View Larger Image


    imageA HICO image taken of Baghdad, Iraq, on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009. The image is about 43 km wide and 190 km long and its orientation is from SW at bottom to NE at the top. Image courtesy of NASA.


    + View Larger Image


    imageA HICO image taken over the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009. The image is about 43 km wide and 190 km long. The center of the image is at 37° 20' N, 76° 10' W and its orientation is from NW at top to SE at bottom. Image courtesy of NASA.


    + View Larger Image


    imageNASA Image: S129E009592 - View of the Hyperspectral Imager for Coastal Oceans (HICO) and Remote Atmospheric and Ionospheric Detection System (RAIDS) Experiment Payload (HREP) installed on the Japanese Experiment Module - Exposed Facility and the port side Solar Array Wings. Photo taken from a JEM Pressurized Module window.


    + View Larger Image


    imageThese are images were taken from the ISS experiment Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HICO). Data from HICO is used to find bathymetry and water optical properties. Image courtesy of NASA.


    + View Larger Image


    Information provided by the investigation team to the ISS Program Scientist's Office.
    If updates are needed to the summary please contact JSC-ISS-Program-Science-Group. For other general questions regarding space station research and technology, please feel free to call our help line at 281-244-6187 or e-mail at JSC-ISS-Payloads-Helpline.
    › Back To Top