MERTIS imaging infrared spectrometer
MERTIS (MErcury Radiometer and Thermal Infrared Spectrometer) is a scientific instrument for ESA's BepiColombo deep-space mission. BepiColombo will be launched to Mercury in 2015 and will observe the planet until 2022.
The instrument design, developed by the DLR Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics in Berlin, is based on a novel and highly integrated instrument concept with a very low mass of only 3 kg and low power consumption.
MERTIS is an imaging spectrometer for the determination of the mineralogical composition of the Mercury surface using hyper-spectral data in the thermal infrared (7-14 µm). An uncooled bolometer detector array provides 2-dimensional data with medium spectral and spatial resolution operated at near room temperature. In addition to the spectrometer, a micro-radiometer is located in the same optical path, which allows measurements of temperature and thermal conductivity of the Mercury surface.
The operating concept is characterized by a permanent on-board calibration in which data is cyclically recorded from 3 calibration sources (cold space and two blackbody sources of different temperatures) and the Mercury surface.
The instrument architecture consists of two thermally decoupled units, the sensor module with optics, the detectors and readout electronics, as well as a shutter also for the on-board calibration.
The main electronics unit contains the redundant instrument control and power supply, as well as the calibration sources. The highly integrated measurement system is completed by a pointing/scanning unit, which orients the optical path either to Mercury or to the calibration sources.
DLR develops the system design, integrates and verifies the optical performance and calibrates the instrument based on investigations in the infrared laboratory.
The development is carried out in close cooperation with partners from science and industry, the Principle Investigator of the University of Münster, the DLR Institute of Planetary Research, Berlin, Kayser Threde - Munich, Astrofeinwerktechnik - Berlin, the Polish Institute of Cosmic Research - Warsaw and the engineering office Ulmer - Frankfurt/Oder.
MERTIS Performance
MERTIS Performance | |
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| 7 - 14 µm (Spectrometer) 7 - 40 µm (Radiometer) |
| 80 spectral channels, 90 nm (<200 nm) |
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| > 28 km; Field Of View: 4° |
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| 180 x 180 x 130 mm³ (excl. Baffles) |
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