Near-ultraviolet visible infrared mapping spectrometer (NU-VIMS)

The NU-VIMS is a new instrument concept for high resolution spectral imaging within the spectral band of 0.25 to 5.0 micrometers . The concept utilizes state-of-the-art detector and grating technologies to extend the capabilities of the Cassini/VIMS-V prototype while maintaining its compact and lightweight format. The NU-VIMS optical design achieves remarkable performance while relying only on spherical surfaces in a single optical channel with only one grating and either one or two detector arrays. Though the concept was developed in anticipation of the MORO, Rosetta, and Pluto-Charon deep space missions, the instrument could also be mounted on a lightweight satellite for low cost remote sensing of the earth.