Making Maps : From Satellites to UAV’s

J.B. SharmaDepartment of Physics

University of North Georgia

Remote sensing Remote sensing platforms platforms

Ground-based Airplane-based Satellite-based

Sun-synchronous polar orbits Most earth imaging satellites is polar-orbiting, meaning that they

circle the planet in a roughly north-south ellipse while the earth revolves beneath them. Therefore, unless the satellite has some sort of "pointing" capability, there are only certain times when a particular place on the ground will be imaged

global coverage, fixed crossing, repeat sampling typical altitude 500-1,500 km example: Terra/Aqua, Landsat

Non-Sun-synchronous orbits Tropics, mid-latitudes, or high latitude coverage, varying sampling typical altitude 200-2,000 km example: TRMM, ICESat

Geostationary orbits regional coverage, continuous sampling over low-middle latitudes, altitude 35,000 km example: GOES. http://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/SatInformation.html

Satellite Based

Types of remote sensing Passive: source of

energy is either the Sun or Earth/atmosphere Sun

- wavelengths: 0.4-5 µm

Earth or its atmosphere- wavelengths: 3 µm -30 cm

Active: source of energy is part of the remote sensor system Radar

- wavelengths: mm-m Lidar

- wavelengths: UV, Visible, and near infrared

Camera takes photo as example, no flash and flash

elevation angle ( α) = 90-θ, some time, elevation angle is also called altitude

αs αv

Solar incidence angle is the angle between the Sun and a line perpendicular to a surface. So solar zenith angle is the solar incidence angle for a horizontal surface. For a slope surface, they are different.

Azimuth angle definition difference: starts from north or from south:

Spatial resolution

Spectral resolution

Radiometric resolution

Temporal resolution

Four types of resolution

Spatial resolution and coverage Spatial resolution

Instantaneous field-of-view (IFOV)

Pixel: smallest unit of an image

Pixel size Spatial coverage

Field of view (FOV), or Area of coverage, such as

MODIS: 2300km or global coverage, weather radar (NEXRAD): a circle with 230 km as radius

30 meter, spatial resolutionNorthwest San Antonio

1 meter, spatial resolutionUTSA campus,

red polygon is the Science Building

Spatial Spatial ResolutionResolution

Jensen, 2000

Spectral resolution ( ) and coverage (min to max)

Spectral resolution describes the ability of a sensor to define fine wavelength intervals

The finer the spectral resolution, the narrower the wavelength range for a particular channel or band

Sensor’s sensitivity to the magnitude of the electromagnetic energy,

Sensor’s ability to discriminate very slight differences in (reflected or emitted) energy,

The finer the radiometric resolution of a sensor, the more sensitive it is to detecting small differences in energy

Radiometric resolution and coverage

Comparing a 2-bit image with an 8-bit image

Basics of Bit

Computer store everything in 0 or 1

bits Max. num

1 22 43 86 648 25611 204812 4096

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

(2bits)

Bit no.

0

256

8 bits as an example Resolution: 12 bitsCoverage: 0 - 4095

Temporal resolution is the revisit period, and is the length of time for a satellite to complete one entire orbit cycle, i.e. start and back to the exact same area at the same viewing angle. For example, Landsat needs 16 days, MODIS needs one day, NEXRAD needs 6 minutes for rain mode and 10 minutes for clear sky mode.

Temporal coverage is the time period of sensor from starting to ending. For example, MODIS/Terra: 2/24/2000 through present Landsat 5: 1/3/1984 through present ICESat: 2/20/2003 to 10/11/2009

Temporal resolution and coverage

Remote Sensing Raster (Matrix) Data FormatRemote Sensing Raster (Matrix) Data Format

0

127

255

Brightness value range

(typically 8 bit)Associated gray-scale

10 15 17 20

15 16 18 21

17 1820

22

1820

22 24

12

3

4

1 5432Columns ( j)

Bands (k )

1

2

3

4

X axis Picture element (pixel) at location Line 4, Column 4, in Band 1 has a Brightness Value of 24, i.e., BV4,4,1 = 24 .

black

gray

white21

23

22

25

Lines or rows (i)

Jensen, 2000Jensen, 2000

Y axis

Field of View (FOV), Instantaneous Field of View (IFOV)Dwell time is the time required for the detector IFOV to sweep across a ground cell. The longer dwell time allows more energy to impinge on the detector, which creates a stronger signal.

Sabin, 1997

WiskbroomPushbroom

Remote Sensing Scanning System

IFOV and FOV

IFOV= 2 tag-1 (d / 2f) ≈ d / f (radians). (d is the detector size, f is the focal length). The general unit of IFOV is milliradians (10-3 radians).

1º = (2π/360) = 0.01745 radians = 17.45 milliradians

1 milliradian = 0.057 º

lens

FOV= 2 tag-1 (D / 2f) (degree)

Detector configurations: breaking up the

spectrum

Discrete Detectors and scanning mirrors- MSS, TM, ETM+, GOES, AVHRR, SeaWiFS, AMS, ATLAS

Linear Arrays- SPOT, IRS, IKONOS, ORBIMAGE, Quickbird, ASTER, MISR

Liner and area arrays- AVIRIS, CASI, MODIS, ALI, Hyperion, LAC

Slides for your references only

Ustin, 2003

Ustin, 2003

Ustin, 2003

Ustin, 2003

Ustin, 2003

Ustin, 2003

Delivered to the ISS on the Progress M-21M on November 29, 2013

Partnership with NanoRacks

New sensors will be on mounted on a vacant docking port on the Tranquility module on the NASA section of the ISS

Hope to make all of the data available and free

Urthecast has acquired access to the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) from NanoRacks which will improve downlink capacity and speed

Streaming HD from Space

The new HD video (first high definition streaming video camera to be installed on the International Space Station (ISS)) is said have a resolution comparable to that of Google Earth

The cameras are attached to the ISS so it will orbit the Earth every 90 minutes.

Users will be able to zoom and adjust the camera from side to side.

Users will also be able to rewind and fast forward.

SkySat-1

>Launched on November 21, 2013 from Yasny, Russia

aboard a Dnepr rocket.

>Polar Inclined orbit at 450 km.

> Smallest Satellite ever flown capable of capturing

sub-meter resolution imagery.

http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=HN.608021220447421475&w=300&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0

SkySat-1

> Created satellite to produce imagery used for

sale in the Global Economy

> Hi-resolution (1080p) video for mapping near-shore

bathymetry, and building 3D models of Cities, Mines, and Mountains

http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=HN.608021220447421475&w=300&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0

SkySat-1

Imagery Specifications:Image Bands Pan 450-900 nm

Blue 450-515 nmGreen 515-595 nmRed 605-695 nmNIR 740-900 nm

Panchromatic GSD

90 cm (0.9 m) at Nadir

Multispectral GSD

2 m at Nadir

Swath Width 8 km at NadirFile Format 16-bit GeoTIFF

http://www.satimagingcorp.com/satellite-sensors/skysat-1/

SkySat-1Video SpecificationsColor PanchromaticGSD 1.1 m at NadirDuration Up to 90 SecondsFrame Rate 30 frames/secondField of View 2 km by 1.1 kmFile Format MPEG-4 (H.264)

http://www.skyboximaging.com/uploads/10/08/imageryandvideospecsheet.pdf

SkySat-2

>Launched as a secondary payload on a Soyuz-2-1b Fregat-M July 8, 2014.

> Imagery and Video Specs are the same as SkySat-1

http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=HN.607989437695331573&w=300&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0

SkySat-1 & 2 Imagery

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=fCrB1t8MncY

Freeport, BahamasFebruary 18, 2015

SkySat-2

Port Au Prince, HaitiJuly 10, 2014

SkySat-2

http://www.firstimagery.skybox.com

Cube SatellitesCube Satellites

By:Jason Cole

Cube Satellites OverviewCube Satellites Overview

What Are CubeSats?What Are CubeSats?CubeSat's are a cost effective miniaturized satellite for space CubeSat's are a cost effective miniaturized satellite for space researchresearch.. Also called nanosatellites, CubeSats measure about Also called nanosatellites, CubeSats measure about 4 inches on each side and weigh less than 3 pounds. CubeSats4 inches on each side and weigh less than 3 pounds. CubeSatsride “piggyback” on Poly Picosatellites (P-POD) which are ride “piggyback” on Poly Picosatellites (P-POD) which are aluminum boxes designed to deploy them. Picosatellitesaluminum boxes designed to deploy them. Picosatellitesare launched by standard rockets, usually seven at a time.are launched by standard rockets, usually seven at a time.

HistoryHistory

Developed by:

Developed in 1999Developed in 1999

Fist launched in 2003Fist launched in 2003

Over 100 have been launched since thenOver 100 have been launched since then

Intended to be a vehicle to support hands on Intended to be a vehicle to support hands on university level space exploration and opportunitiesuniversity level space exploration and opportunitiesto launch satellites more affordably.to launch satellites more affordably.

California Polytechnic

University

DesignDesign

Future Development Future Development

NASA is planning to launch “Dellingr”, this NASA is planning to launch “Dellingr”, this month. This CubeSat mission will have an month. This CubeSat mission will have an onboard magnometer that will be used to onboard magnometer that will be used to understand how the magnetic field of the understand how the magnetic field of the Earth fluctuates, which, in turn, will teach Earth fluctuates, which, in turn, will teach them about the effect of solar flares and them about the effect of solar flares and other space weather on our planet. other space weather on our planet.

Spire Nano Satisfi converted over to Spire in 2012. This is a satellite powered data company that

allows organizations to gain insight on areas all around the world.

Spire plans for this data to be used in weather, illegal fishing, global trade, maritime domain awareness and in shipping.

They expect to have 50 satellites up in the near future to compete with Planet Labs who already has a 43 satellites in orbit.

ArduSat1The ArduSat 1 was based off of the CubeSat.

Designed by 4 graduate students from the International Space University in 2012.

Launched on June 15, 2012 after a great turn out from their KickStarter campaign.

SensorsThe ArduSat1 used a freely programible micro-processer and can have up to 25 sensors including:1 optical spectrometer (Spectruino)1 1.3MP camera (C439)1 infrared temperature sensor (MLX90614)1 digital 3-axis magnetometer (MAG3110)1 3-axis accelerometer (ADXL345)1 digital 3-axis gyroscope (ITG-3200)2 geiger counter tubes (LND 716)2 luminosity sensor (TSL2561)4 digital temperature sensors (TMP102)437.325 MHz Downlink

Today

Spire Currently has 35 active satellites.These satellites can revisit the same place every 9.1 minutes.This example displays how the satellites can track ships which is averaged around seven times faster then todays ship tracking.All of the data collected from the satellites is available to the public.Spire plans to have this data rentable at a cheaper cost for all the customer's imagery and data needs.

Planet Labs

Originally known as Cosmogia, Planet Labs is a cubesat or nano-satellite imaging company.

Founded by three former NASA employees including: Robbie Schingler (President of Planet Labs), who worked at NASA

as the Open Government Representative to the White House for 9 years, as well as helped create NASA’s Small Spacecraft Office.

William Marshall (C.E.O of Planet Labs), who was a scientist at NASA who worked on several projects including L.A.D.E.E and L.C.R.O.S.S (Lunar orbiting and impact missions), and developed a low-cost planetary bus.

Chris Boshuizen (C.T.O of Planet Labs), a NASA scientist that co-created the PhoneSat project, as well as lead multiple cooperative projects between NASA and private space exploration companies, and acted as an interim Executive Director at Singularity University.

History

The project originally started in the garage of the NASA scientists, whom shared a home in San Francisco, while they were working for NASA.

After eight years, they left NASA and acquired an office space of their own in 2012 after their project began to grow, and Planet Labs is now comprised of between 101-250 employees.

The first launch of the Planet Labs CubeSat satellites was in April of 2013.

Dove-1 was released from the International Space Station, and is orbit 250 km about the Earth.

Dove-2 was released from the BionM spacecraft and hovers between 290 km and 575 km above the Earth.

Usage & Goals

The goal of Planet Labs is to provide frequent and inexpensive high resolution imagery of the ever-changing world, to the people of the world.

Primarily funded by investing companies, Planet Labs has acquired over $95 million in funding within the last year, and have received a total of $160.1 million in the last four years.

They wish to keep imagery frequent, as their Flocks of Dove satellites take images of the entire Earth on a daily basis, and have imagery ready for analysis within hours, as well as wish to keep the imagery inexpensive so that businesses, scientists, educators, students, farmers, governments, and really anyone interested in the imagery can purchase and use it.

The primary hopes of Planet Labs is for the imagery to be used for humanitarian purposes, including monitoring environmental issues such as deforestation, water body changes, effects of climate change, deforestation, and the impacts of agriculture and potential agricultural needs for the hungry.

15 Investors:

Planet Labs O’Reilly AlphaTech Ventures Innovation Endeavors Draper Fisher Jurvetson Data Collective First Round FF Angel Capricorn Investment Felicis Ventures Yuri Milner AME Cloud Ventures Lux Capital Industry Ventures Ray Rathrock Founders Fund

SensorSince nano-sats or cube-sats are generally built with equipment found in specialty and hobby shops, the specifications vary greatly.

•Planet labs: 90mm aperture with a high resolution camera; passive sensor.

Resolution: 3-5 meters (9.8 – 16.5ft)Young and comparatively small company:

basic equipment.

Launch• In January of 2014, Planet Labs released Flock-1, comprised of 28 nano-satellites.

• By the end of 2014, a total of 93 Dove satellites were in orbit around the Earth. Originally, there was supposed to be 100, but the Antares rocket which was to transport 26 of the Dove satellites exploded upon launching on October 28, 2014, destroying the satellites on board.

• Planet Labs’ Dove satellites are primarily transported by rockets of investing companies SpaceX and Cygnus, and are launched into low orbit (between 250-800 km).

• The satellites fly in low orbit to minimize the amount of space debris yet fly high enough so as to avoid privacy invasion.

Future Planet labs received a total of $160.1million in four

rounds from 15 different investors. The company is greatly expanding and doing much work in the

urban development, agricultural, natural resources and various humanitarian fields.

Their cost-effective model of photographing the Earth’s with low-cost satellites received a lot of attention.

They are currently working on launching more flocks of Dove sats; partnership with Geoplex and multi-year deal with Woolpert.

It is possible that planet labs will upgrade equipment and incorporate more complex sensors as investments and scope increases.