A HYPSTAR system comprises of an advanced hyperspectral VNIR spectrometer, an optional SWIR spectrometer, a simple RGB imaging camera alongside hyperspectral measurements, a relative calibration LED source, a pan-tilt mechanism, auxiliary sensors (pressure, humidity, temperature, rain, light, two external cameras), site-dependent accessories (designed mounting frames, carry cases, fixations, designed from commercial off-the-shelf equipment, etc.) and a standardized data stream for easy and systematic exploitation by downstream validation networks WATERHYPERNET and RADCALNET.
Once operated on the fields, a HYPSTAR system is integrated into the WATERHYPERNET or RADCALNET network dedicated to satellite validation, or may be operated independently. The networks automatically acquire measurements from the sites in near real-time, do magic, and provide the result data with associated uncertainties evaluated according to ISO/GUM. The uncertainty estimation closely follows the work of the FRM4SOC and FRM4VEG projects, where our HYPSTAR scientists are coordinators and partners.
The system is available in two versions: HYPSTAR-SR for deployments on water sites and HYPSTAR-XR for deployments on land sites. They have been rigorously tested in diverse and challenging conditions as regards application (water, land), platform (fixed structure, research crane), environment (cold/ hot, wet/ dry, calm/ windy, biofouling, etc.), and logistics (accessible/ remote, standalone/ heavily instrument site, well-protected/ vulnerable to humans, etc.) during the H2020/HYPERNETS project.
12 HYPSTAR-SR and 12 HYPSTAR-XR prototypes have been deployed at locations such as Acqua Alta Oceanographic Tower (Italy), Río de la Plata (Argentina), and Wytham Woods (The UK), with plans for further testing and deployment in 2023.
Our partners are constantly updating these deployments on Twitter @Hypernets_H2020, so make sure to follow us for the latest news.
The HYPSTAR systems are commercialized by the RSware Limited company based in Tartu, Estonia. For more information please contact: rsware.ou[at]gmail.com.
HYPSTAR-SR

The HYPSTAR-SR (Standard Range) system is designed for radiometric validation of "water colour" satellites. The systems have been tested on water sites with diverse conditions (offshore, coastal and inland water) within the H2020/HYPERNETS project.
Data are provided from sites to the WATERHYPERNET network daily, processed, and distributed with associated uncertainties evaluated according to ISO/GUM.
HYPSTAR-SR is fully characterized and calibrated from factory.
Technical specifications:
Parameter | HYPSTAR-SR radiometer |
---|---|
Measured quantity | Radiance and irradiance (multiplexed) |
Field of view | 2° (radiance), 180° (irradiance) |
Detector array | 2048 px Si |
Spectral range | 380 … 1020 nm |
Spectral sampling interval | 0.5 nm |
Spectral resolution | 3 nm |
ADC resolution | 16 bit |
Integration time | 1...65535 ms |
Shutter | Internal |
Target camera | 5 Mpx, RGB |
Communication interface | RS485, half duplex, 115.2 … 8000 kbps |
Housing material | Anodised marine grade aluminium |
Dimensions (DxL) | ⌀110.3 x 267 mm |
Weight | 1.5 kg |
Power supply | 8 … 18 V DC, 0.5 A |
Environmental protection | IP67 |
Operating temperature | -25 … +45 °C |
Storage temperature | -35 … +70 °C |
HYPSTAR-XR

The HYPSTAR-XR system (eXtended Range) is designed for radiometric validation of "land" satellites. The systems have been tested in deserts, snow/ice fields, and vegetated lands (e.g. woodland, agricultural, tropical forests, mixed surfaces) within the H2020/HYPERNETS project.
Data are provided from sites to the RADVALNET network daily, processed, and distributed with associated uncertainties evaluated according to ISO/GUM.
The system is fully characterized and calibrated from factory.
Technical specifications:
Parameter | HYPSTAR-XR radiometer |
---|---|
Measured quantity | Radiance and irradiance (multiplexed) |
Field of view | 5° (radiance), 180° (irradiance) |
Detector array | 2048 px Si, 256 px InGaAs |
Spectral range | 380 … 1700 nm |
Spectral sampling interval | 0.5 nm (VNIR), 3 nm (SWIR) |
Spectral resolution | 3 nm (VNIR), 10 nm (SWIR) |
ADC resolution | 16 bit |
Integration time | 1...65535 ms |
Shutter | Internal |
Target camera | 5 Mpx, RGB |
Communication interface | RS485, half duplex, 115.2 … 8000 kbps |
Housing material | Anodised marine grade aluminium |
Dimensions (DxL) | ⌀110.3 x 434 mm |
Weight | 3 kg |
Power supply | 8 … 18 V DC, 2 A |
Environmental protection | IP67 |
Operating temperature | -25 … +45 °C |
Storage temperature | -35 … +70 °C |
Our startup team
Development of the HYPSTAR radiometer was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant agreement No. 775983 ("HYPERNETS project").