Imaging spectroscopy of Saturn and its satellites: VIMS-V onboard Cassini

The instrument VIMS (Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer) to be flown on Cassini is a multispectral imager covering the spectral range from 0.30 -5.1 mu m. Some major areas for the scientific objectives of the Cassini-VIMS instrume nt will be study of the atmospheres of Saturn and Titan; study of the surface composition and spatial distribution of different spec ies for Saturn icy satellites; study of the structure and composition of Saturn rings VIMS instrument is made up of two independent channels, one covering the vi sible range from 0.30-1.05 mu m and named VIMS-V, the second covering the s pectral range from 0.85-5.1 mu m. In this paper we will describe the scientific objectives which will be addr essed specifically by VIMS-V, and how the observations in the visible range will complement those obtained by the infrared channel;derived observation al constraints for VIMS-V will be discussed wherever appropriate. A general description of the instrument will follow with a detailed examination of t he peculiar features of the instrument. Finally, the calibration activity w ill be analysed and the results discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. A ll rights reserved.