Korean KOMPSAT-5 Radar Satellite Launched

The launch of KOMPSAT-5 satellite was successfully performed by RS-20 rocket (Dnepr Launch Vehicle) from Yasny Launch Base, Orenburg region, Russia, on August 22, 2013 at 18:39:13  Moscow time 14:39:13 UTC).

The launch was executed by the Russian Strategic Rocket Forces of the Russian Ministry of Defense with the support of the Russian and Ukrainian companies, which are part of the ISC Kosmotras industrial team.

The satellite has been injected into its target 550 km circular low Earth dawn-dusk orbit.

KOMPSAT-5 has been designed and built by Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), a government-funded research organization located in Daejeon, South Korea.

The satellite utilizes a modular design consisting of Payload Module, Avionics Module and Propulsion module (designed to operate with monopropellant hydrazine and gaseous nitrogen). The main payload of the satellite is COSI (COrea SAR Instrument) operating in X-band, and the secondary payload is AOPOD (Atmosphere Occultation and Precision Orbit Determination), which is composed of a dual frequency GPS receiver and a Laser Retro-Reflector Array (LRRA).

Following necessary in-orbit tests, KOMPSAT-5 will conduct all-weather day-and-night repetitive observations of Earth surface, in particular, of Korean Peninsula, for five (5) years.

KOMPSAT-5 primary mission is to provide High Resolution mode SAR images of one (1) m resolution, Standard mode SAR images of three (3) m resolution, and Wide Swath mode SAR images of twenty (20) m resolution.

KOMPSAT-5 will provide the collected data to the KOMPSAT-5 Ground Segment located at KARI’s site in Daejeon, South Korea, which supports SAR image processing.

ISC Kosmotras congratulates all the mission participants on the successful launch!

Credit: Kosmotras

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ScanEx Radar Images Detect Oil in Black Sea

Within the frames of the Black Sea oil pollutions monitoring program natural oil sources were detected in south-eastern part out at sea of the town of Poti, Georgia. The source was detected based on analysis of multi-temporal radar satellite images by the scientists of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology together with the specialists of the ScanEx Research & Development Center.

Analysis of radar images enabled to detect the connection between the oil seeps, visible on the sea surface and the process of formation and migration of hydrocarbons in sedimentary complex of the south-eastern part of the Black Sea. Based on the analysis of spots, detected on 16 multi-temporal radar images, acquired over the 1993 to 2011 period, the GeoMixer web-mapping application helped defining the location of the source on the sea bottom. The coordinated of the source are 41є58'59''N and 41є07'30''E at the depth of 1050 meters and it erupts once in 0.3-5 hours. First reliable monitoring of this spring from space using radar was made in December 1993.

- Such a natural infiltration of oil is one of the typical phenomena in this part of the Black Sea. Oil seepage volumes assessments can be made by measuring the acreage of oil slicks on radar images and based on simple physical considerations, connecting the thickness of oil slick with its color that varies from iridescent on the place of emergence to silver-grey on the spot edges, - explained Senior Researcher of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology Andrei Ivanov.

According to estimates of the institute specialists the oil-in-place relief in south-eastern part of the Black Sea only from this source (if recurrent discharge trend remains) may constitute on average from 1 to 8 tons of oil per day or 400 to 3000 tons per year. The maximum possible estimates of volumes of natural oils seepage in this place according to space radar data may reach 7000 tons of oil per year.

Detailed biometric data showed that the bottom in this location has a positive topographic form – the mountain of Pechori that, apparently, is the source of these oil blowouts. Data of independent geophysical studies, carried out by IFM-GEOMAR (Kiel, Germany) together with Russian specialists, confirm that too. In addition, radar images of this area detected a number of smaller oil slicks associated with secondary level phenomena that indicate the presence of a number of other natural oil sources. They are also of some interest and require further investigation.

The use of multi-temporal radar images enables to considerably increase the probability of natural oil sources detection at seas. For analysis and research of natural oil seeps, detected using radar images, the method developed at the Institute of Oceanology was applied. In particular, the geoinformation approach was used. Such an approach was also used to study and event to detect natural oil sources in the Caspian Sea, on the north-eastern shelf of the Sakhalin Island and in Lake Baikal.

— Radar images can be applied for operational monitoring of different objects on the sea bottom, periodically emitting oil or oil derivatives, for example damaged or broken oil pipelines, sunken ships, mothballed wells, etc. – notes ScanEx Deputy General Director Alexei Kucheiko.

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ScanEx RDC offers services on satellite-based monitoring of natural oil sources on the Russian seas’ continental shelves and looks forward to working with all interested organizations. Contact person: Natalya Yevtushenko, tel:+7(495)739-73-85, e-mail: sar@scanex.ru.

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First TanDEM-X RADAR Satellite Image Received

Germany’s new radar satellite, TanDEM-X, launched from Kazakhstan on Monday, has returned its first images of Earth, according to Red Orbit.

The spacecraft was created to make the most precise 3D map of the Earth’s surface.

The first images demonstrate that the satellite is in good working order and is ready to team up with the TerraSAR-X satellite launched three years ago. The pair of satellites will trace the variation in height across the globe with precision of better than 6 feet.

The satellite will support a number of applications, such as navigational devices for military jets to allow them to fly at very low altitudes.

Infoterra GmbH, which has exclusive rights to commercialize the TanDEM information, says the market for radar products is steadily growing.

The new images show regions of Ukraine, northern Madagascar and Moscow. The pictures illustrate neatly the unique ability of the equipment to use radar to sense the planet’s surface.

The satellite is able to detect, for example, the choppiness of the waves in the Indian Ocean near Madagascar.

TanDEM-X will be flying in a polar orbit that will take it in a similar path to that of TerraSAR-X, about 325 miles above the planet. The intention is to make the new satellite keep an extremely close path to its sibling. At times, the two satellites will be as close as 650 feet to one another.

The radar works by bouncing microwave pulses off the ground and sea surface. By timing how long it takes for the signal to return to the satellite, the instrument can determine differences in height.

Three-dimensional image acquisition is expected to start in January.

The seamless digital elevation model (DEM) of the Earth’s surface will be built up over a three year period. Ultimately, the satellites should be able to produce a vertical resolution of 3 - 6 feet and a spatial resolution of 40 feet -- far superior to any global data recorded to date.

The TerraSAR-X/TanDEM-X venture is operated on the basis of a public-private partnership. The Germany's space agency (DLR) owns the hardware; satellite manufacturer EADS Astrium has developed and built the technology; and Infoterra GmbH processes and sells the data.

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TanDEM-X German Radar Satellite Launced

TanDEM-X Launched Successfully: TerraSAR-X twin brought into orbit from Baikonur // Satellite formation will collect data for global DEM.

The German radar satellite TanDEM-X was successfully launched from Baikonur, Kazachstan, at 04.14 hrs CET on Monday, June 21, 2010. A first contact with a ground station in Troll was established at 04.45 hrs.

TanDEM-X joins its "twin" TerraSAR-X, which has been in operation since mid 2007, in its 514 km orbit. Together, the two satellites will spend three years collecting stereo radar data for a global digital elevation model of the Earth's entire landmass. This DEM will feature a relative accuracy of better than 2 meters (10 meter absolute) for a 12 meter grid.

"This successful launch is an important step forward for our company," stated Dr. Vark Helfritz, Managing Director of Infoterra GmbH, following the successful launch: "Infoterra will be conducting the commercial marketing of this unique global DEM, which will of course be an attractive enhancement of our companies' portfolio."

TanDEM-X is being implemented in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and Astrium GmbH with, funds from the German Ministry of Industry and Technology (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie).

Infoterra GmbH will be responsible for the commercial marketing of the elevation model, which will involve customising the DEM to the needs of commercial users: Infoterra will process the raw data supplied by the satellite system in accordance with specific customer requirements. This involves removing any remaining spikes (peaks or outliers caused by noise) and offsets (can occur due to radar shadow particularly in mountainous terrain) in the data, and editing the representation of expanses of water (ensuring a uniform water level and the right gradient of river courses).

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RADAR Data to Monitor Russian Arctic Seas

On behalf of the Atomflot Federal State Unitary Enterprise, ScanEx RDC will conduct collection and processing of radar data on the ice situation in the Northern Sea-route and non-Arctic freezing seas of Russia. The right to manage this project was granted to ScanEx RDC within the frames of the open contest held in mid March, according to press release.

An operational radar space monitoring of the Barents, Kara, White, East-Siberian, Chukchi and Laptev Seas, as well as of the Ob, Yenisei and Lena Rivers’ estuaries will be ensured by this project.

“Thanks to its widely-spread network, ScanEx ground receiving stations in Moscow, Megion and Magadan provide the coverage of the entire Russian Arctic area. We are pleased to note that the satellite data reception and processing technology has been developed in Russia,” said Vladimir Gershenzon, General Director, ScanEx.

It was made possible to launch the programme of satellite-based monitoring of such vast territories due to the operation of the network of ScanEx ground receiving stations and the availability of proper licenses on RADARSAT-1 (Canada) and ENVISAT-1 (ESA) satellites imagery data, as well as those of 10 optical satellites of leading remote sensing operators from the USA, France, India and Israel.

The advantages of using the technology of direct reception, processing and delivery of products based on satellite data to the end users are as follows:
- High operational efficiency of data reception (1-3 hours after imaging of all the Arctic area);
- Moderate prices of the end product due to exception of foreign receiving stations from the work cycle;
- High repetivity and reliability of imaging due to the application of multi-satellite technique.

Data will be delivered to end users via FTP-protocols and internal “Atomflot-Kosmosnimki” geo-service that has been created to resolve project tasks based on Kosmosnimki.Ru geoportal.

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High-resolution space radar for land mapping

The Entrepreneurs at ESA’s Business Incubation centre in the Netherlands have used radar technology from the agency’s Envisat remote-sensing satellite to develop a compact, high-resolution radar that can monitor land and buildings from small aircraft.

The space radar can monitor structures such as dams, harbours, canals and buildings, leading to maps for urban planning, territory surveillance and cadastral updating. Several flights over the same location can spot changes between pictures, revealing ground movements that could affect structures.

The sensor’s main advantage is that it can be flown on small, readily available and inexpensive aircraft. In comparison, conventional bulky radar requires large, costly planes, while laser systems need more time to take high-resolution pictures, and are therefore often flown on costly helicopters.

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Satellite radar data to monitor faults, earthquakes in China

Western China is in a very seismically active area and has had many catastrophic earthquakes during its history. A joint European-Chinese team is using satellite radar data to monitor ground deformation across major continental faults in China to understand better the seismic cycle and how faults behave.

Using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite data and a technique known as SAR Interferometry (InSAR), along with GPS data, scientists participating in ESA’s Dragon 2 Programme have been able to measure the ground deformation that occurred during the Wenchuan earthquake that struck China’s Sichuan Province last May.

The Wenchuan earthquake occurred on the Longmen Shan fault, along the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Following major earthquakes, changes in stress along the faults in the region can lead to subsequent earthquakes. Using InSAR and GPS data, scientists are able to measure and monitor where and how this stress changes as well as how any associated deformation is distributed.

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German TanDEM-X radar satellite complete

The aerospace company Astrium completed construction of the German radar satellite TanDEM-X, created in collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR).

The satellite has now been transported to Ottobrunn, a town near Munich. The satellite will undergo trials until mid-September 2009 to confirm its suitability for operation in outer space. It will be subjected to extreme temperatures and radiation and, in particular, the loads experienced during launch will be simulated. Once the tests are completed, the satellite will be transported to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The provisional launch date, on board a Russian Dnepr rocket, is October 2009. TanDEM-X stands for "TerraSAR-X add-on for Digital Elevation Measurement".

The TanDEM-X project – just like its 'sister' mission, TerraSAR-X – is being implemented on a joint basis by DLR and Astrium, in an arrangement known as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). This PPP agreement defines many aspects of TanDEM-X, including the financing arrangements and the intended use of the data. [via]

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Spain Digital Maps in NEXTMap database

Intermap Technologies announced that uniformly accurate 3D digital elevation models and high-resolution orthorectified radar images of the entire country of Spain are now commercially available. Digital maps of Spain, collected as part of the company’s NEXTMap Europe programme, join France, Germany, Great Britain, Luxembourg, and Italy as full country datasets in the NEXTMap data library. Portions of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Portugal, Switzerland, and The Netherlands are also in the data library.

All of Intermap's NEXTMap datasets include uniform digital surface models that depict the earth’s surface (including cultural features such as vegetation, buildings, and roads). These datasets also include digital terrain models displaying the bare earth (with all cultural features digitally removed) and orthorectified radar images that accentuate the country’s topographic features.

The Company has also mapped the contiguous U.S. and Hawaii as part of its NEXTMap USA mapping programme.

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Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT) to launch on April 20

The Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV) with the radar imaging satellite (RISAT) will be launched on 20th April from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, as reported. It will also put into orbit Anusat, a micro educational satellite built by Anna University.

The 230 tonne rocket will carry a weight of around 350 kg - the 300 kg RISAT and 50 kg Anusat.

According to officials, the rocket will sling RISAT at a distance of 560 km in a circular orbit and the 50 kg Anusat into low earth orbit.

While ISRO officials termed RISAT an all weather satellite to be used for remote sensing purposes, the presence of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) built by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) gives it defence capabilities.

None of ISRO's other remote sensing satellites are equipped with the SAR.

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Canadian small radar satellites to be launched

Canadian Space Agency announced design contract with MDA for RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) comprising three small satellites equipped with C-band radar instruments. According to CSA press service the RCM project will become the outcome of public private partnership between Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) that has been awarded a 16-month contract valued at $40 million to begin the design of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM).

The RADARSAT Constellation is the evolution of the RADARSAT Program and will ensure the continued use by government scientific and commercial clients of data produced by Canada-s advanced C-band radar instrument.

"The federal government is proud to support this innovative Canadian-made technology, which will enhance our ability to detect oil spills and monitor floods, landslides and eruptions and do so in a more timely and comprehensive way than is currently possible," said the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry.

According to the designers the main uses of RCM are expected to be in the areas of:
# maritime surveillance (ship detection, ice monitoring, and oil spill detection);

# disaster management;

# ecosystem monitoring.

While the initial mission includes three satellites, the Constellation is designed to grow to include up to six satellites.

Presently there are two operational Canadian satellites RADARSAT-1 and RADARSAT-2 equipped with C-band radar instruments. They were orbited in 1995 and 2007 respectively.

[via]

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Cloud radar -- predicting the weather more accurately

The weather. It's the one topic of conversation that unites Britain – umbrella or sun cream? Now scientists at the Science and Technology Facilities Council have developed a system that measures the individual layers of cloud above us which will make answering the all-important weather questions much easier in future. The Cloud Radar will not only allow forecasters to predict the weather more precisely, the information gathered will also enable aircraft pilots to judge more accurately whether it is safe to take off and land in diverse weather conditions, offering a powerful safety capability for civil airports and military air bases.

Developed over 10 years by researchers and engineers at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, in collaboration with the Met Office, the Cloud Radar can take a complete and accurate profile of cloud or fog up to 5 miles overhead. Operating at 94 GHz, 50 times higher in frequency than most mobile phones, the radar measures the cloud base height, its thickness, density and internal structure as well as providing similar information on cloud layers at higher altitudes.

The earliest version of the cloud radar was built to demonstrate that a low power system operating at high frequency could compete with more common radar types. It was built from the spare components of a radar altimeter designed to operate on a satellite, so that it used small, low-power components in contrast to previous cloud radars that use expensive pulsed sources which consume many times more power and have limited lifetimes.

The Met Office has just purchased a Cloud Radar which is being trialled at sites around Britain. Additionally, a Cloud Radar has also been acquired by the University of Marburg in Germany.

The radar consists of a millimetre-wave frequency source that continuously emits a low power signal in the vertical direction that is frequency modulated. A signal is returned, mainly due to what is known as 'back-scattering' from water droplets and ice crystals in the atmosphere. This signal is picked up by a receiver and converted to a microwave signal, which is then digitised, analysed and a real-time image of the returned signal intensity versus altitude is displayed for the user.

The new Cloud Radar is the result of several hundred thousands of pounds of investment into the Space Science & Technology Department at STFC with proof of concept funding from CLIK, STFC's wholly-owned technology exploitation company, along with the Met Office.

Source: Science and Technology Facilities Council

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