Imaging Spectrometers for Earth Observation

A better understanding of the Complex Physical Systems, like the Earth System, will require more and more sophisticated sensors with better spatial, temporal, radiometric and spectral resolution. The Italian Space Agency (ASI) since long time is promoting and funding the development of very challenging sensors for studying the Earth System: SAR 2000, the prototype of a X band SAR of high spatial resolution which is the prototype of the sensor that will be embarked on each of the four satellites of the COSMO/SkyMed Mission; ROSA a GLONASS Radio Occultation Sounder for the study of the Atmosphere which will be embarked on several Space Missions; Imaging Spectrometers for a better spectral knowledge of the Earth. The number of potential data-products obtainable by these sensors, able to be installed on aircrafts or spacecrafts, could be very high, useful and of benefit in several fields of Earth Observation Purpose of this paper is to present the main results of the ASI activities related to the studies and developments of Imaging Spectrometers.