Koehn, Tabitha2017-09-132017-09-132017-09-12vt_gsexam:12480http://hdl.handle.net/10919/78880A Hyperspectral imager aboard a cubesat would be able to provide images which could be used to identify ships and determine the ship's length and breadth and heading. Depending on the size of the ship, the speed the ship is traveling can be determined as well; however the speed and size determination is limited by the spatial resolution of 100 meters. The spectral signature of the boat is dramatically different from the spectral signature of the open Ocean especially within the range of 400 to 1000 nanometers, and this threshold is the basis for extracting ship data. Hyperspectral Imagers are ideal for minimization with few optical errors introduced, and designs range in durability making them useful on board small satellites especially in the visible and near infrared region. Placing an imager on a satellite allows for consistent observation over a region to identify patterns in ship movement over time.ETDenIn CopyrightHyperspectral ImageryShip DetectionInstrumentationThesis