The AquaScan, a miniaturized UV/VIS/NIR hyperspectral imager will be built for deployment on a UAV or small manned aircraft for ocean coastal remote sensing applications. The hyperspectral system includes a data acquisition system with remote operation capability proving a real-time waterfall display of the hyperspectral scans. OKSI teamed with Scripps Institution of Oceanography to define and design a sensor that explicitly meets the performance requirements needed for ocean remote sensing of coastal regions, but can also be used for terrestrial remote sensing. Specifically, some key requirements called for: 1) high spatial resolution (< 1 meter), 2) high spectral resolution (< 10 nm), UV NIR coverage (300 1000 nm), 4) high sensitivity for low reflectivity of ocean surfaces, 5) provide simultaneous downwelling solar radiation measurements, and 6) allow for operating mode that avoids specular reflections off ocean surface. The AquaScan design was completed during the Phase I effort. During Phase II the sensor will be manufactured, tested, calibrated, and prepared for flight testing. The system will then be demonstrated during several airborne tests off the Southern California coast. The tests will include measurements of spatially/spectrally unique ocean phenomena including red tide blooms and river plume run-offs after heavy rain storms. Coordinated ship-based remote sensing and in situ measurements will take place concurrently with the newly developed miniature UV/VIS/NIR airborne measurements. The ship-based measurements will serve as ground truth for validation/verification. In addition, OKSI will attempt to coordinate data collections with satellite passes (e.g., MODIS, MERIS, SeaWiFS). Comparison with satellite data will serve as validation and demonstration of the capability to support future satellite programs (e.g., GEO-CAPE).

OKSI has coordinated with the program manager of ocean color remote sensing at ONR. The Navy is currently conducting remote sensing measurements of littoral, estuarine, and riverine environments and is interested in high spatial resolution measurements from small aircraft platforms. Other important applications include ocean disaster monitoring and support in situations such as the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Presently NASA is operating the AVIRIS sensor that has very high operating costs, over the region on a frequent basis. A small, low cost hyperspectral sensor that can be installed on a small craft and even unmanned aerial vehicle could provide constant monitoring service and direct the cleaning operations. In general, ocean and coastal waters are important to the planet's ecosystem for food resources and will require increasing level of global and local monitoring and control of such resources by local, and international agencies. This instrument package is a perfect system for on-demand, any time, low cost monitoring needs.

CORAL REEF MONITORING. OKSI and SIO coordinated with the primary investigator of NASA's ARC's Biospheric Science Branch. Current work utilizes AVIRIS data OKSI's AquaScan sensor promises to enhance the data product. The AquaScan provides the following benefits: measurements into the UV spectral domain, higher spectral resolution, higher spatial resolution, more frequent data collections, and much lower cost operations. OCEAN BIOLOGY SCIENCE BRANCH. SIO has communicated directly with the program manager and provided details of the sensor capabilities. Currently most research being conducted at Ocean Biology and Science Branch utilizes satellite data which is limited by discrete wavelengths & relative low spatially resolutions (~ 1 km). Utilization the AquaScan will provide a new class of data product to enhance the current research being conducted. BIODIVERSITY PROGRAM. SIO has communicated with the program scientist of NASA's Biodiversity Program. This NASA element utilizes model & observations (satellites, airborne, seaborne) to explore patterns in the changing global ecosystems. The availability of multiple low cost, high quality AquaScan sensors for dedicated remote sensing could provide improved data products for this program. FUTURE SATELLITE SUPPORT. A high quality airborne sensor can be utilized to provide ancillary data to satellite measurements (for enhanced data products or to provide validation/ground truth). Examples include HyspIRI & GEO-CAPE.