Since the invention of the hyperspectral imager AVIRIS（Airborne Visible and Infrared imaging spectometer） in the United States in the 1980 s

hyperspectral imaging technology has seen rapid development for nearly 40 years. At present

hyperspectral imaging data are widely used in geology

marine science

agriculture

forestry

hydrology

urban studies

environmental science

and military fields; this wide use has played a catalytic role in sustainable economic development. The most typical representatives of hyperspectral imaging systems are the Tacsat-3 satellite ATERMIS

the Terra satellite

and the Aqua satellite MODIS. According to different imaging methods

hyperspectral imaging systems can be divided into three categories

namely

opto-mechanical scanning

push broom-type scanning

and staring. The hyper-spectral imager for opto-mechanical scanning features a large field of view and real-time calibration. The hyperspectral imager for push broom-type scanning exhibits a relatively high sensitivity; hence

a majority of spaceborne hyperspectral imagers are of this type. The hyperspectral imager for staring can obtain extremely high sensitivity and spectral resolution. Hyperspectral imaging systems can also be divided into prismatic spectrograph

grating spectrograph

and optical filter spectrograph depending on the difference obtained with the beam-split method. In recent years

hyperspectral imaging technology has seen rapid development in China. Representative instruments include the following: the successful development of an airborne OMIS system in 2000

the moderate resolution imaging spectrograph of Shen Zhou 3 in2003

and the infrared imaging spectrograph of Chang’E-3

which landed on the moon in 2013. The Fourier interference hyperspectral imager of environmental satellite 1 is China’s first interference hyperspectral imager

which launched into orbit in 2008. The Tian Gong 1 hyperspectral imager is China’s first high-resolution hyperspectral imager

which launched into space in 2011. Considering the depth of research and expansion of its application

hyperspectral imaging technology has undergone diversified development. Thus

we need to adopt new technologies to meet different application needs. This paper introduces essential technologies of the hyperspectral imaging system and their applications

including the following:（1） motion compensation spaceborne hyperspectral imaging technology of Tian Gong 1 based on prism spectrograph

（2） splitting technology in low temperature of compact thermal infrared hyperspectral imager

（3） integration of airborne ultraviolet/visible light/short-wave infrared/ thermal infrared hyperspectral imaging technology

（4） splitting technology of a step integrated filter

and（5） staring hyperspectral imaging technology based on AOTF. Given the traction of major national mission requirements

China’s aerospace hyperspectral imaging technology has achieved important progress. The breakthrough of key technologies guarantees the enhancement of the ability to obtain spectral information. The technologies identified in this paper are representative breakthroughs in the hyperspectral imaging domain. The improvement of the core component parts will result in a high spectral resolution

high spatial resolution

and great scope of the hyperspectral imaging system.