Abstract. In the scope of hyperspectral airborne imaging spectrometer (APEX) design activities, the acceptable sensitivity of linear polarization of the spectrometer is analyzed by assessing the amount of polarization of reflected light in the atmosphere-surface system. A large number of calculations is performed for a wide variaty of viewing geometries to study the influences of aerosol models, natural surfaces and flight altitudes over the spectral range from the near-UV to the short-wave infrared (SWIR).

Thereinafter the design of the imaging spectrometer is outlined accounting for these requirements and a method of partially correcting the instrument polarization sensitivity is briefly introduced. APEX design and post-processing capabilities will enable to reduce the influence of polarization sensitivity of at-sensor radiance and its higher-level products generated for most of the observation conditions.