Abstract: A cooled echelle grating spectrometer for detecting wavelengths between one micron and fifteen microns. More specifically, a spectrometer is disclosed having a cross-dispersing grating for ordering infrared energy, and an echelle grating for further ordering of the infrared energy. Means are disclosed to direct infrared energy to the cross-dispersing grating and then to the echelle grating. Ordered radiation from the echelle grating is sensed by a detecting means. Means are also disclosed for cooling the cross-dispersing grating, the echelle grating and the detecting means so that background radiation can be minimized. In a specific embodiment the cross-dispersing grating and echelle grating are in separate enclosed volumes having access to each other through a single intermediate aperture, reflected energy from the cross-dispersing grating being focused so as to pass through the intermediate aperture and then collimated and directed to the echelle grating for further ordering.