Proceedings of the Infrared Detector Technical Interchange Meeting

Infrared (IR) detector technology is critical for NASA’s future missions, many of which require state-of-the-art IR payloads in support Science Mission Directorate (SMD), Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), and Exploration Mission Directorate (EOMD). IR sensors utilized in infrared missions span a wide gamut, including multispectral, polarimetric imaging, point-source detection, scanning dispersive hyperspectral imaging, staring interferometric hyperspectral imaging, and astronomical imaging. Space-qualified IR detectors are a leading item on NASA’s critical technology lists as they are key enablers for many science missions. To promote knowledge sharing among science and engineering practitioners external- and internal-to NASA, the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) Sensors & Instrumentation Technical Discipline Team (S&I TDT) and IR Detector Community of Practice (IR CoP) organized a Technical Interchange Meeting to discuss and review the current state of IR technology in the 2-1000 µm wavelength range. This workshop evaluated existing relevant NASA-needed technologies and developments, identified opportunities for investments and collaboration, and discussed agency-level strategies to meet near- and far- term needs for science and exploration missions.