Laura Candela, Anna Rita Pisani, Simona Zoffoli SDCG-8 Session #8 ASI contributions to R&D Support strategy ( Element 3) – Status update SDCG-8 DLR, Bonn,

Laura Candela, Anna Rita Pisani, Simona ZoffoliSDCG-8 Session #8

ASI contributions to R&D Support strategy (Element 3)

– Status update

SDCG-8DLR, Bonn, Germany

September 23rd-25th 2015

Acquisitions and data provision • Status of satellite data acquisitions over GFOI R&D Study Sites (relevant

for your mission):(a) On-going in accordance with Element-3 acquisition plan, (b) On-going as part of mission standard acquisition strategy, (c) Not started.

( c ) Not started, we have been contacted by the PI on 18th September 2015 for new acquisitions. The CSK archived data available over GFOI R&D Study Sites do not match the new PI requests (see slide n. 6-7)

• Status of data provision (new or archived) to GFOI research groups (a) On-going

(b) Not started.(b) Not started. The CSK archived data available over GFOI R&D Study Sites do not match the new PI requests (see slide n. 6-7)

ASI – COSMO-SkyMed

Acquisitions and data provision

• Please indicate whether your agency would be able to accept

(a) modification of existing Study Sites (e.g. location, timing, etc.)

(b) addition of new Study Sites (not currently listed for your mission in the Element-3 plan) by existing R&D groups

(c) addition of new R&D groups and new Study Sites- [e.g. in next update of El-3 plan foreseen for SIT-31]

There are no apriori reasons for not accepting the points a), b) and c)

(a) Location: has to be evaluated in the framework of the projects according with existing acquisition plans; timing: number of products provided to the projects will be evaluated by ASI on the basis of project requirements;

(b) Priority will be given to study sites identified as Priority1;

(c) The new R&D groups have to be eligible for COSMO-SkyMed data (i.e. institutional users).


Data provision proceduresIndicate whether anything has changed (since SDCG-7) regarding your agency's procedures provide data to GFOI R&D groups (e.g. scene limitations, data sharing, data request/access procedures, etc.)

• Regarding the SDCG-7-25 action: The quota of COSMO-SkyMed images available on the GFOI R&D priority sites will be evaluated on the basis of requirements of the GFOI projects. For example, for the Supersites initiative the COSMO-SkyMed quota is about 200-300 images/year/Supersite, in Stripmap HIMAGE acquisition mode. In case of volcanoes Supersites the quota range may vary between 200 and 300 depending on the number of volcanoes involved.

• The VTT organization (Group 9), has been considered by ASI eligible for COSMO-SkyMed data.

Regarding the access procedures nothing has changed :• Access for research/institutional users;• Submission of an R&D project to ASI for the exploitation of COSMO-SkyMed data;• Accepted proposals must sign an agreement with ASI and obtain a data license;• The access to the COSMO-SkyMed archive is possible through the website

http://87.241.31.78/index.php by subscription;


Research Announcements

Please indicate any forthcoming research announcement(s) or funding opportunities that may be relevant to the GFOI R&D plan.The “Open Call for Science” has started on 25th February 2015, details for application available at the following link: http://www.asi.it/en/agency/bandi_en/calls/cosmoskymed_open_call_for_scienceLand Cover & Vegetation is among the primary application domains.

Indicate your Agency’s interest to participate in a coordinated research announcement targeted at GFOI R&D support. ASI is interested to participate in research announcement targeted at GFOI R&D support, supporting activities involving X-band, in particular the synergy with L-band or C-band.



PI group 9 requests

Images (1st priority) from Mexico as follows:

• Chiapas Center 16.45N 91.40W Spotlight 2 HH view angle 35-45 degrees. Frequency monthly until May 2016

• Durango Center 23.74N 105.49W Spotlight 2 HH view angle 35-45 degrees. Frequency monthly until May 2016

Images (2nd priority) from Finland as follows:

• Hyytiala Center 61.85N 24.32E Spotlight 2 HH view angle 35-45 degrees. Frequency monthly until June 2016

Comment: The possibility to deliver Spotlight acquisitions has to be evaluated before processing the request. In the CEOS framework, projects are supported with CSK Stripmap HIMAGE products.

Archived data availability

Refer to http://gfoi.org/RD for

• COSMO-SkyMed Background Mission on Guyana, Cameroon, Borneo, Tasmania, Peru, Colombia, DRC and Sumatera sites;

• COSMO-SkyMed archived data on GFOI R&D Study Sites:

– No Spotlight images available on R&D Study Sites;– Products mostly available as Stripmap HIMAGE and Scansar (with i.a. > 30° @near range);– Stripmap Dual Polarization products available on FIN-2 (Sodankyla) priority2 R&D Study

Site (with i.a. > 30° @near range);– No archived products available on MEX-8 (Durango) priority1 R&D Study Site.


Steven HosfordSDCG-8 Session #8

CNES contributions to R&D Support strategy (Element 3)

– Status update



Acquisitions and data provision • Status of satellite data acquisitions over GFOI R&D Study Sites

(relevant for your mission):(a) On-going in accordance with Element-3 acquisition plan, (b) On-going as part of mission standard acquisition strategy, (c) Not started.


(b) Not started.

Images acquired but no information provided from R&D users on production parametres, SO NO IMAGES PRODUCED AS YETLicense issues to be resolved within 1 month

CNES

Acquisitions and data provision • Please indicate whether your agency would be able to accept




Any/All of the above within existing assigned resources .

CNES

Data provision procedures Indicate whether anything has changed (since SDCG-7) regarding your agency's procedures provide data to GFOI R&D groups (e.g. scene limitations, data sharing, data request/access procedures, etc.)None. Need inputs from GFOI R&D groups for image production.

Research AnnouncementsPlease indicate any forthcoming research announcement(s) or funding opportunities that may be relevant to the GFOI R&D plan.Permanently open call for proposals through ISIS programmeIndicate your Agency’s interest to participate in a coordinated research announcement targeted at GFOI R&D support. Participation would be possible

CNES

SPOT World Heritage production continues• 200,000 scenes currently being produced

of which 130,000 produced to L1Aand 15,000 produced to L1C (orthorectified TOA) available via www.theia-land.fr

CNES

SPOT World Heritage production continues

CNES

• Production of ~10 000 images over Kenya to L1A complete

• Processing at CNES to L1C (ortho TOA) to begin shortly

Other AOIs for GFOI?

Yves CrevierSDCG-8 Session #8

Canadian Space Agencycontributions to

R&D Support strategy (Element 3)– Status update



The Canadian Space Agency overarching objectives in support of the GFOI Element 3:• To support our National Forest community (government, academic and

private sectors) • In the context of multiple constellations of C-Band SAR missions:

• To support science and R&D activities demonstrating unambiguously the contribution of C-Band data in an individual, interoperable and complementary basis.

• To enable end-users to exploit the large amount of SAR data that is now or will soon be available in support of their programs for forest management, ecosystem protection, carbon accounting, etc.

• To the development of documented, validated and repeatable algorithms directed to the development of products on forest attributes – this should avoid the constraints related to restricted data policy

Canadian Space Agency

Focused Contribution

The Canadian Space Agency will focus its contribution towards the SDCG Element 3 objectives related to the use of C-Band:• As an individual / repeatable source of data (individual data collection)• Under a sensor interoperability framework - obtaining the same thematic

results from different sensor (required coordination)– Full interoperability: Same thematic results (i.e. intercalibrated sensors)– Partial interoperability: Varying range of similarity (i.e. use of multiple missions)– Partial interoperability generally acceptable if the differences can be quantified and

corrected for

• Under a sensor complementarity framework -obtaining additional thematic information through the (synergistic) use of two or more different sensors (required coordination)

– SAR / Optical missions– SAR / SAR missions – multi-frequency

Acquisitions and data provision • RADARSAT-2 provides excellent wide area high/medium resolution

coverage and capacity – can support National coverage as well as supersite objectives

• RADARSAT-2 has remaining capacity that is sufficient for creating and maintaining a high/medium resolution archive of SAR data

• Analysis of exact-repeat stacks of SAR imagery allows for effective and efficient quantitative assessment of land cover and changes in forest environments

RADARSAT 2

Acquisitions and data provision • CSA is willing to support the monitoring of study site as well as

“demonstrating” C-Band capabilities for coherent national monitoring using dense time series in the context of Element 3 (Science only)

RADARSAT 2

Preferred Modes

20 50 100 150

10

100

1

Res

olut

ion

(m)

Swath width (km)

300

5MFW (SLC)

FW

WS

SCN

MF

UFW

SL

UF

SCW

MF (SLC)

MFW

3

20

500

Current Radarsat-2 modes1. High resolution land

3. Maritime

XF

0.252. Large area land1 2

3More frequent revisit (1/day)

Higher resolution

Wider swath + higher resolution

XF (repeated) archive coverage tropical belt (May 2013 till May 2015, data downlinked at Canadian Stations)

Archive searches and quick look imagery (CEOCAT): https://neodf.nrcan.gc.ca/neodf_cat3/index.php?lang=en

Example of exact repeat 5 m archives RADARSAT-2Coverage of Indonesia (status November 2014)

Mode Swath width Resolution Coverage (sq. km)2010 MFW 90 5 6,131,5792011 MFW 90 5 370,2632012 MFW 90 5 1,900,4172013 MFW 90 5 15,541,4012014 MFW 90 5 1,065,6002014 XF 125 5 22,380,449

total 47,389,709

RADARSAT 2

Data provision for R&D

• Moving from a SOAR-based data dissemination approach to an open sharing process as defined within a Multi-User Framework;

– Require a thorough a priori identification of image products and certification of data user organizations and individuals;

– Number of scenes and access is project dependant and is to be determined;

• Operating under background mission framework;• As a counterpart, we are assuming open sharing of ground data, methods, and

derived results; • No cost to users – all processing and data costs will be covered by CSA;• Data products and processing level to be agreed with PIs;• Open to a coordinated AO on GFOI key science questions.

Michael Bock/DLRSDCG-8 Session

DLR contributions to R&D Support strategy (Element 3)

– Status update



Thanks to the Support of :TerraSAR-X Science Coordinator: Achim Roth

TanDEM-X Science Coordinator: Irena Hajnsek

DLR – TerraSAR-X & TanDEM-X

Acquisitions and data provision Status of TerraSAR-X Background mission over GFOI R&D Study Sites:(a) Prio 1sites:

• All 15 supersites are regularly (every 22 days) monitored since July from an ascending and a descending orbit.

• However for 3 sites (BOR-3, KAL-1, SUM-1) no acquisition could be performed yet due to acquisition conflicts (with TanDEM-X and other users (scientific and commercial).

• For the same reason just 1 acquisition is available for FCT-SUM-2. Monitoring of SA-1 and SA-2 is only possible unregularly.

• For all other sites at least regular observations are possible at least from one orbit.

• In total 75 data sets were acquired within 3 months…


Acquisitions and data provision Status of TerraSAR-X Background mission over GFOI R&D Study Sites:Prio 2 sites :

• All 7 Prio 2 sites are regularly monitored from August to Sept. all 11 days either in ascending or descending orbit, from Oct. reduced to 22 days

• 3 sites (FIN-1, FIN-2, RUS-1) only 1 acquisition could be performed yet due to acquisition conflicts (with TanDEM-X and other users (scientific and commercial).

• For the sites (GFC-3, PNG-3, ICE-1, FCT-AU-3) regular observations all 11 days are acquired from one orbit.

• In total 17 data sets were acquired within 1,5 months…

Acquisitions and data provision• Please indicate whether your agency would be able to accept



(c) addition of new R&D groups and new Study Sites- [

All is possibly but:

• First detailed information on extent (polygon), preferred timing, and preference of time series vs. coverage of study sites and preference of mission TSX or TDX is needed. The current info is not sufficient

• Second Requirements has to be balanced with quota foreseen for GFOI R&D, which my be raised but this needs to be reasoned

• Third Feedback of R&D groups is needed



Status of data provision to GFOI research groups:• GFOI research groups informed about:

– TDX Experimental Science AO provided data free of charge (some Extra slides follow)

– TSX Archive AO provides free of charge all data that are older than 18 months (no specific information to GFOI R&D Groups)

• DLR only got feedback from one R&D group



28

Data provision procedures Indicate whether anything has changed (since SDCG-7) regarding your agency's procedures provide data to GFOI R&D groups (e.g. scene limitations, data sharing, data request/access procedures, etc.)

• No changes• Data access for GFOI groups through AO-Process

– Several Specific AO’s provide data free of charge– (General TDX/TSX AO always provides data for COFUR costs)


Research AnnouncementsIndicate your Agency’s interest to participate in a coordinated research announcement targeted at GFOI R&D support. • DLR is ready to launch a dedicated GFOI AO together with

other Space agencies to provide the GFOI R&D groups remote sensing data free of charge within one coordinated AO framework

• Up to now, acquired background mission data for the R&D sites can only be assessed by the general AO for COFUR prices

Upcoming Research Announcements• TanDEM-X Global DEM AO


DLR.de •GFOI • Sep 2015

TanDEM-X: Activities supporting Forest Science

Irena Hajnsek1/2 and Thomas Busche1

1 Microwaves and Radar Institute, DLR Oberpfaffenhofen2 Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich

Months2014/15

1Oct

2Nov

3Dec

4Jan

5Feb

6Mar

7Apr

8May

9Jun

10Jul

11Aug

12Sep

13Oct

14Nov

15Dec

Operation Mode Pursuit Monostatic Bistatic

Polarimetry Single/

Dual PolSingle/Dual/

Quad Polarimetry

CP Single/Dual/Quad Polarimetry

Phase Center (PC) 2 PC 2/4 PC CP 2/4 PC

Baseline (values for alllatitudes)

0-750 m (perp. baseline)(slow drift over 5 months)

3-4 kmat

Equator

3-4 km (horizontal baseline at Equator)

smaller at higher latitudes (stable baselines over the

whole period)

Fast drift back

to 300 m

0-250 m (stable short perp.

baselines)

Along-track baselines 76 km 0-500 m (both hemispheres)

300-850 m (ascending)~ 0-300 m

(descending)

Applications requiring variable baselines

within a short time

Applications requiring stable very large XTI

baselines

Applications requiring normal

XTI baselinesSlide 32

TanDEM-X: Science Phase Time Line

Vegetation ExperimentsApplication InSAR

ModeImaging Mode

DRA Baseline Coverage Time Comments

Forest height Bistatic SMSL

single/dual/quadsingle/dual/quad

set of short across-track baselines (100-300 m)

Northern/Southern hemisphere

boreal forest Amazon basin

All year aroundLeaf on/off

Need access to global DEM data

Forest structure

Bistatic or PM

SMSL

single/dual/quadsingle/dual/quad

set of short across-track baselines (100-300 m) for Tomography

Northern/Southern hemisphere

boreal forest

All year aroundLeaf on/off

Need access to global DEM data

Forest mapping

Bistatic and AB

SM dual Large to very large baselines (100-1000 m)

Amazon Basin 2 times acquisition: wet/dry season

AB with 20 m HoA

Crop height Bistatic SMSL

dual/quad

Very large to huge baselines (1-4 km)

selected sites (Northern/Southern hemisphere)

Europe/Asia/USA/Australia

3-4 months growth period

Noise need to be reduced in HV (e.g. reduction of bandwidth)

Slide 33

Forest Site Acquisition (RED)

TanDEM-X Forest Examples

TanDEM-X Forest Examples

36

TanDEM-X: Kryckland Test Site, Sweden

Forest Height Map (Air-Lidar) Forest Height Map (TanDEM-X)*

30m

0m

30m

0m

Test Site

* Derived from the inversion of the TanDEM-X VV coherence by using the Lidar derived ground topography as input.

Kugler, F. et al. TanDEM-X Pol-InSAR Performance for Forest Height Estimation , IEEE TGRS,Vol.: 52, 10 : 2014 , Page(s): 6404 - 6422

Slide 38

TanDEM-X: Kryckland Test Site, Sweden

Forest Height Map (TanDEM-X)*

30m

0m

Test Site

* Derived from the inversion of the TanDEM-X VV coherence by using the Lidar derived ground topography as input.

Lidar H100 [m]

r²=0.82 RMSE = 2.55m

TanD

EM-X

Hei

ghts

[m]

Forest Height Map (Air-Lidar)

30m

0m

TanDEM-X Height Accuracy

Flinders RangesFlinders Ranges

TanDEM-X DEMs ODedicated to the TanDEM-X DEMs for 12m, 30m and 90mAnnouncement of Opportunity (AO) open from End September 2015All data can be ordered via this AO free of chargeFully compatible to SRTM format specifications!

Free DEMO TanDEM-X DEMs available for downloadhttps://tandemx-science.dlr.de

The TanDEM-X mission continues bistatic acquisitions in 2016

This will allow 3D-Monitoring of forest heights & structureHigher Resolution Forest DSM are possibleTanDEM-X GFOI AO and super sites still to be defined for 2016+, but

TerraSAR and TanDEM-X R&D requirements need to be coordinated !

Next Announcements of Opportunities

https://tandemx-science.dlr.de/



Nobuyoshi Fujimoto/JAXASDCG-8 Session #8

JAXA contributions to R&D Support strategy (Element 3)

– Status update



Acquisitions and data provision • Status of satellite data acquisitions over GFOI R&D Study Sites

(relevant for your mission):(a) On-going in accordance with Element-3 acquisition plan, (b) On-going as part of mission standard acquisition strategy (c) Not started.


(b) Not started.

Agency name and mission

Acquisitions and data provision • Please indicate whether your agency would be able to accept


Possibly, but to be evaluated on a case to case basis if required


No, consistence with Element 3 strategy desired


Depending of the outcome of current internal Element 3 coordination efforts within JAXA


Data provision procedures Indicate whether anything has changed (since SDCG-7) regarding your agency's procedures provide data to GFOI R&D groups (e.g. scene limitations, data sharing, data request/access procedures, etc.)

Distribution at cost of reproduction (currently JPY 9000/scene) approved. For free of charge provision, further internal coordination required before decision can be made.

GFOI research groups which have requested ALOS and ALOS-2 data have been encouraged to apply via JAXA’s 6th Research Announcement (RA6) for ALOS-2 (closing 25 Sept 2015). Successful proposals will have access to 50 ALOS-2 scenes (and 50 ALOS scenes, if requested) per year. RA6 programme duration until March 2019.


Research Announcements

Please indicate any forthcoming research announcement(s) or funding opportunities that may be relevant to the GFOI R&D plan.No further RA planned at the moment.

Indicate your Agency’s interest to participate in a coordinated research announcement targeted at GFOI R&D support. Dedicated RA not likely to happen.


Julio Dalge/INPESDCG-8 Session #8

INPE contributions to R&D Support strategy (Element 3)

– Status update




1. There is no change in the data policy and CBERS-4 will be freely available from INPE's catalog as soon as the commissioning phase ends.

2. The commissioning phase will continue until December, 2015, due to legal aspects in the bidding to hire a company to provide support with software maintenance.

3. Raw data of all CBERS-4 cameras have been regularly recorded over China and Brazil since the satellite launch last December. All data will be processed and made available at the end of commissioning phase.

4. Systematic regular coverage of China and Brazil is the priority for image acquisitions.

INPE – CBERS-4


5. Data acquisitions in Brazil cover the wholeCuiaba antenna footprint/ ground station mask.

6.Although CBERS-4 has not been designed to provide global coverage of the Earth, its solid state on-board data recorder can be used, on a best effort basis, to cover any particular area of interest.

6. INPE remains interested in contributing to GFOI with CBERS-4 data provision.

INPE – CBERS-4

Documents

Laura Candela, Anna Rita Pisani, Simona Zoffoli SDCG-8 Session #8 ASI contributions to R&D Support strategy ( Element 3) – Status update SDCG-8 DLR, Bonn,