Focal plane filter microassemblies: A status report

Satellites, and consequently satellite instruments, are undergoing size, power, volume and cost reductions, due primarily to national budget and commercial economic considerations. As instruments have become smaller, so have the filters used by them. Presently, several systems employ miniature multicolor focal plane filters, and more are planned. This paper documents the status of the development and refinement of these specialized devices in order to inform the instrument designer as to some of the newly available filter options, and hopefully to encourage new ideas for their use.