NASA's Operation Ice Bridge (OIB) images the Earth’s polar ice in unprecedented detail to better understand processes that connect the polar regions with the global climate system.
Douglas DC-8, GulfStream V, Lockheed Martin P-3, and de Havilland Twin Otter flights provide a multi-instrument look at the behavior of the rapidly changing features of the Greenland and Antarctic ice.
Supraglacial lake observations using thermal imaging and spectra from a Headwall Nano-Hyperspec® VNIR sensor (left). Image from NASA Operation IceBridge Overview 2018.
Headwall Co-Aligned and SWIR sensors are utilized for hyperspectral imaging. These operate in temperatures well below normal operating conditions, and Headwall support personnel sometimes provide remote troubleshooting to personnel, who may be on satellite phone in flight.