A multi-spectral sensor system and methods are disclosed. One aspect of the invention comprises a multi-spectral sensor system mountable to a mobile platform. The system may comprise an image capturing system, a first translation stage affixed to the image capturing system and a stationary optics assembly. The system may further comprise a motion controller configured to move the first translation stage and image capturing system across the stationary optics along a traveling direction opposite of a traveling direction of the mobile platform and at substantially the same rate as the mobile platform is moving during a stare operation.