Sensor · Spaceborne

EMIT (Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation Imaging Spectrometer)

Missions → EMIT ISS deployment (Operational)

EMIT is a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Dyson-design pushbroom hyperspectral imaging spectrometer hosted on the International Space Station ExPRESS Logistics Carrier 1 for mapping mineral composition in arid dust source regions. It covers 380-2500 nm across approximately 285 contiguous bands at 7.4 nm spectral sampling, with 60 m ground sample distance, an 80 km swath, and ISS-limited coverage of approximately 52 S to 52 N.

Sensor

EMIT (Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation Imaging Spectrometer) is a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Dyson-design pushbroom hyperspectral imaging spectrometer hosted on the International Space Station ExPRESS Logistics Carrier 1.^[1] The instrument covers 380 to 2500 nm across approximately 285 contiguous bands at 7.4 nm spectral sampling, with 60 m ground sample distance and an 80 km swath.^[2] Its primary science role is mapping mineral composition in arid dust source regions so dust radiative forcing can be quantified from observed surface mineralogy.^[1]

EMIT launched aboard SpaceX CRS-25 on 14 July 2022, and its extended mission was approved in April 2023 with operations active through at least 2026.^[1] The International Space Station orbit limits coverage to approximately 52 S to 52 N. EMIT L2B Estimated Mineral Identification identifies ten key mineral classes, including kaolinite, illite, montmorillonite, calcite, dolomite, hematite, and goethite.^[3]

Methodology	Evidence class	Demonstrated via	Source
hyperspectral-classification	demonstrated	emit-iss	^[2]
swir-absorption-point-source	demonstrated	emit-iss	^[4]

Operator pricing

Pricing not publicly listed by operator

Where this fits, supply chain

Compositional position

EMIT ISS deployment ——— this payload

this ——— EMIT ISS deployment (Operational) flies on

Methods this sensor implements

Demonstrated

SWIR absorption - global screening

Capable, undemonstrated

None on record.

Topics this relates to

CO2 SWIR absorption - global screening(demonstrated)well suited

Greenhouse gas inventory SWIR absorption - global screening(demonstrated)well suited

Industrial emissions SWIR absorption - global screening(demonstrated)well suited

Methane (CH4)SWIR absorption - global screening(demonstrated)well suited

Pipeline integrity SWIR absorption - global screening(demonstrated)adequate

Stratospheric ozone SWIR absorption - global screening(demonstrated)unsuitable

Sources

[1]EMIT Instrument Specifications, NASA JPLagency doc2026-05-25
[2]EMIT Instrument Overview, NASA JPLagency doc2026-05-25
[3]Optical Design of the EMIT Imaging Spectrometer, NASA NTRSagency doc2026-05-25
[4]EMIT L1B Radiance User Guide, LP DAACagency doc2026-05-25
[5]EMIT Greenhouse Gas Algorithms Theoretical Basis Document v1.0, NASA JPLagency doc2026-05-25

Cite https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/emit Markdown twin → Field definitions →