A light-weight hyperspectral mapping system for unmanned aerial vehicles - The first results

Research opportunities using UAV remote sensing techniques are limited by the payload of the platform. Therefore small UAV's are typically not suitable for hyperspectral imaging due to the weight of the mapping system. In this research, we are developing a light-weight hyperspectral mapping system (< 2 kg) suitable to be mounted on small UAVs. The system is able to produce georeferenced and georectified hyperspectral data cubes in 400-1000nm spectral range at 10-50cm resolution. The georeferenced reflectance factor spectra cubes are to be used in e.g. precision agriculture and soil erosion research. In this paper we describe prototype of the system, the processing chain, and present preliminary results