Space Certification Program


Space Certified Technology Products Become a Global Vertical Market

Written by: developer

What started off as dual-use technology under the NASA Commercial Space and Research Center’s Programs, has become a tool for multiple vertical markets worldwide. This technology, which is part of a suite of Turnkey hyperspectral imaging products and software, is now available through PhiLumina, LLC, which is a Space Foundation Certified Partner.  

PhiLumina’s CEO/CTO, Mark Allen Lanoue has been involved in this technology since it was introduced in 1996. “Our systems are now spread across the world, and have been used for research in various areas by government, commercial, and academic entities,” he said. 

These award-winning products have been used by multi-billion dollar cosmetic, pharmaceutical, biomedical and aerospace companies. There are now more than 70 systems worldwide personally delivered by Lanoue. They are a staple in multi-million dollar laboratories in the United States and abroad, and have been relied upon in heavily cited research papers, and in research programs in the United States and abroad.  

The systems have been used to image and perform analytical work on the Terra Cotta Warrior collection in Xian China, the inner walls of the Forbidden City, the relics at the mountain of Dazu China and on a painting thought to be that of the Painter of Painters Diego Rodriquez Velazquez.

“A project that focused on the use of this technology on the Diego Velazquez work and the treasures of DAZU was presented via ISA 2014 and selected for the poster session along with 200 other archeologists’ projects worldwide,” said Lanoue. “The poster presented alongside the PhiLumina hyperspectral work was that of the discovery and identifying work for the tomb of King Philip II (Alexander the Great’s father) in Greece. Moreover, these systems have been used in defense programs in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Canada and the United States,” he said.

In the field of forensics, the technology has been used for classified and unclassified projects related to explosives, pigment, ink, document examinations, recovery and other chemistry related areas of research. A system built and delivered to the University of McGill in Canada was used in conjunction with short wave infrared system via the Royal Mounted Police for finding bodies via changes in vegetation.  

The products and systems are turnkey, portable and can be customized for a variety of applications and programs. With an emphasis on ease of use and the adaptability to copy-stands, tripods, microscopes and just about anywhere that 1/4 20 connectivity can be mounted, this technology has made its way to labs, field research and a diverse mix of market sectors. Universities are using hyperspectral imaging systems for cutting edge research all around the world. Through their programs, researchers are spreading the word about the utility of hyperspectral imaging.  

In 2005, two members of the PhiLumina Team were inducted into the Space Foundation’s prestigious Space Technology Hall of Fame for their extensive advancement of hyperspectral imaging technology.

PhiLumina, LLC is now in the midst of submitting several projects that could expand its product line and services. Whether agriculture, biomedical, cosmetology, pharmaceutical, civil defense, aerospace, forensics, conservation or another area of research, the utilization of hyperspectral imaging is a powerful tool for research and development and will be essential to the deployment of future technologies.

This article is part of Space Watch: August 2015 (Volume: 14, Issue: 8).


Posted in Space Certification Program