RKS: Infrared radiometer of high resolution (RIVR)

2019: Production of an infrared radiometer for the ISS

On December 9, 2019 the Russian Space Systems company reported that it completed a development stage and started production of a system of the remote sensing of Earth (RSE) – an infrared radiometer of high resolution (RIVR) for the multi-purpose laboratory module "Science" of the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS). The radiometer will increase efficiency of monitoring of the forecast of development of natural and technogenic catastrophes and the solution of some other tasks.

According to the company, the radiometer will allow to conduct monitoring of technogenic and natural emergencies, the spontaneous hydrometeorological phenomena, to detect the centers of the forest and underground fires, large thermal emissions of pollutants and also to define humidity of the soil, ground water level and to conduct search of underground waters and geothermal sources.

We consider capacity-building of a research of Earth and space as one of priority problems of development of the program of the piloted stations. For December, 2019 we prepare several tools for work at the ISS at once. RIVR – one of them. It is the device which will significantly add amount of data, the devices of remote sensing of Earth assembled by our grouping. Alexander Bloshenko, the Chief executive of ROSKOSMOS State corporation on perspective projects and science told

The device after installation at the ISS will help to trace a status of the World Ocean and to investigate dynamic processes on water areas, to carry out thematic mapping of the land surface, including geological mapping – search and identification of minerals, detection of possible areas of gas and oil fields. It will also become the tool of a research of volcanic activity, dynamics of zones of permafrost, forecasting of seismic activity, will allow to estimate a condition of polygons of industrial and household waste and will be able to solve many other problems.

At resolution capability in 30 meters at the same time with two infrared ranges it provides a capture band in 70 km.

When developing the radiometer the difficult engineering task was solved – its dimensions will provide movement, comfortable and safe for astronauts, via connection ISS hatches. At the same time RIVR has good permission, is equipped with the krupnoaperturny high-aperture optical system combined with the mechanical precision scanner, a spektrodelitelny system and also the onboard electronic system of acceptance and stream processing of large volumes of a video information. Yury Gektin, the chief designer of the direction of RKS told

In the radiometer the experimental system of a three-point onboard reference calibration system in addition to standard, used on the majority of the orbital film-making systems with infrared channels will be implemented. It will allow to increase the radiometric accuracy of measurements and by that to increase competitiveness of target information.

Completion of works on creation of the equipment is planned in 2022.