Miniaturized calibration stimulus for on-board calibration of space optical systems. The miniaturized stimulus for the onboard spectro-radiometric calibration of space optical instruments. It is based on an innovative, photonic based, tunable laser, consisting of a semiconductor gain section and photonic waveguide circuit. The laser output wavelength can be reproducibly tuned over a range of a few tens of nanometers. Features- • The main MicroSpec application is the on-board calibration of small space optical instruments. • In-flight spectro-radiometric calibration is of paramount importance to increase the quality of data products. • The enabling technology is available over a wide wavelength range (500 – 2350 nm) • Multiple laser heads can be multiplexed to increase spectral coverage while using the same drive electronics. Technical Specifications- • Wavelength specification: Central wavelength: 1530 nm, Tunability: 100 nm • Wavelength tuning accuracy: < 1 nm • Output power: < 1 nm • Output power stability: ~ 1% • Wavelength tuning accuracy: < 1 nm • Volume: < 0.2 dm3 • Mass: < 0.4 kg • Power consumption: < 10 W (operational), < 1 W (idle) Applications- • Optical instrument in-flight calibrator • Spectral calibration • Radiometric calibration • Optical alignment (e.g. keystone correction) • Optical instrument on-ground calibration and characterization (C&C) • Compact package with excellent performance • Use the same calibrator for the C&C campaign and in-flight • Other applications • Spectroscopy • Interferometry