// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy is the study of how matter interacts with electromagnetic radiation, used to identify the chemical composition and physical properties of distant objects.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Spectroscopy is the scientific technique that analyzes the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation as a function of wavelength or frequency, enabling the determination of chemical composition, temperature, velocity, and magnetic fields of astronomical objects by examining their emitted, absorbed, or reflected light spectra.
BACKGROUND
Outer space, or simply space, is the expanse that exists beyond Earth's atmosphere and between celestial bodies. It contains ultra-low levels of particle densities, constituting a near-perfect vacuum of predominantly hydrogen and helium plasma, permeated by electromagnetic radiation, cosmic rays, neutrinos, magnetic fields and dust. The baseline temperature of outer space, as set by the background radiation from the Big Bang, is 2.7 kelvins.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Spectrometry
- spectral analysis
- spectrography
USAGE NOTE
Astronomers use spectroscopy to determine the composition of exoplanet atmospheres and the redshift of distant galaxies.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Spectroscopy.
A major aerospace prime contractor that designs and builds spacecraft, advanced instruments, and sensors. They were instrumental in developing the Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) for the James Webb Space Telescope, which houses its primary spectrographs.
A federally funded research and development center and NASA field center managed by Caltech. JPL develops and operates robotic spacecraft and instruments for planetary exploration, many of which carry advanced spectrometers, such as the SuperCam on the Perseverance Mars rover.
Through its Teledyne Imaging division, the company is a leading developer of high-performance digital imaging sensors (CCDs and CMOS) that are the core components of many spectrometers used in space telescopes and Earth observation satellites.
An aerospace and defense technology company that builds advanced optical and sensor systems. They develop hyperspectral and multispectral imagers for intelligence, surveillance, and Earth observation from space, such as the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) on GOES satellites.
An intergovernmental organization dedicated to the exploration of space. ESA manages the development of many scientific instruments for its missions, including the Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) for the James Webb Space Telescope and instruments for the Copernicus Sentinel satellites.
A leading global manufacturer of high-performance Fourier Transform Spectrometers (FTS) for space applications. Their instruments are used worldwide on meteorological satellites for atmospheric sounding and weather forecasting.
A major manufacturer of aerospace systems and components. Honeywell develops a wide range of technologies for space, including fine guidance sensors and components for scientific instruments like the Canadian-built Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) for JWST.
An Earth imaging company operating a large constellation of satellites. They are expanding their capabilities to include hyperspectral imaging with their Tanager satellite program, which is a form of imaging spectroscopy used for detailed environmental and resource monitoring.
A company specializing in the design and manufacture of hyperspectral imaging sensors and spectral instrumentation. Their products are deployed on airborne and spaceborne platforms for applications in remote sensing, agriculture, and environmental monitoring.