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Earth observation (EO) is crucial for addressing environmental and societal challenges, but it struggles with revisit times and spatial resolution. The EU-funded SURPRISE project aims to improve EO capabilities by studying space instrumentation using compressive sensing (CS) implemented through spatial light modulators (SLMs) based on micromirror arrays (MMAs) to improve the ground sampling distance. In the SURPRISE project, we studied the development of an MMA that meets the requirements of a CS-based geostationary instrument working in the visible (VIS) and mid-infrared (MIR) spectral ranges. This paper describes the optical simulation procedure and the results obtained for analyzing the performance of such an MMA with the goal of identifying a mirror design that would allow the device to meet the optical requirements of this specific application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earth observation (EO) payload performances in the infrared spectral region from geostationary platforms are often limited by spatial resolution. In this paper, we investigate an instrumental concept leveraging a compressive sensing paradigm and super-resolution architecture to implement an EO payload from a geostationary platform aimed at the monitoring of wildfires with a nominal spatial sampling distance of 500 m. The core device of the instrument is a European-technology-based micromirror array under study for space applications. Besides payload specifications and working principles, the main critical aspects and the expected impact on EO applications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems (IPMS) has been developing and manufacturing micromirror arrays for more than 20 years. While originally focusing on applications related to microlithography and therefore mainly for light in the deep ultraviolet range, the range of applications has been expanded since, including applications in the visible and near-infrared range. This paper gives an overview of the devices and their designs, fabrication, and characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]