The Artemis hyperspectral imaging sensor was activated on the TacSat-3 satellite, and Artemis is fully functional, Raytheon Co. [RTN] announced.

Activation marks the beginning of the year-long TacSat-3 mission to test the payload’s ability to deliver tactical surveillance information from space to military field commanders within 10 minutes of data acquisition.

Artemis was developed in 15 months as an experiment in rapid deployment funded by a $15 million contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory. Data collection is scheduled to begin within days as part of the program’s goal of demonstrating the ability to design, build and field space solutions in tactically relevant time frames.

"We are excited to begin the data collection portion of this important mission," said Bill Hart, vice president for the Space Systems group of Raytheon. "Having shown that technologically advanced space payloads can be built in relatively short periods of time, we are confident that Artemis will further demonstrate the ability to bring space surveillance and reconnaissance advantages directly to troops on the ground."

Consisting of a trio of components (telescope, spectrometer and on-board digital signal processor), the payload will image the ground at high spatial resolution in a broad range of the visible and infrared spectrum. It can be directed to search for camouflage, disturbed earth and other signs of enemy activity.

With its easily manufactured and readily repeatable design, Artemis serves as the model for the electro-optical class of Responder(tm) modular payloads recently introduced by Raytheon. Responder combines a common payload framework with a suite of interchangeable mission-specific sensors and standardized interconnects to allow for rapid design, manufacturing and spacecraft integration of space payloads.