The RADARSAT-Constellation Mission (RCM)
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The RADARSAT-Constellation Mission (RCM) Dr. Heather McNairn Science and Technology Branch, ORDC [email protected] Daniel De Lisle RADARSAT Constellation Mission Manager Canadian Space Agency [email protected] Why Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)? The Physics: • At microwave frequencies, energy causes alignment of dipoles (sensitive to number of water molecules in target) • Characteristics of structure in target impacts how microwaves scatter (sensitive to roughness and canopy structure) The Operations: • At wavelengths of centimetres to metres in length, microwaves are unaffected by cloud cover and haze • As active sensors, SARs generate their own source of energy; can operate day or night and under low illumination conditions The Reality for Agriculture: • The backscatter intensity and scattering characteristics can be used to estimate amount of water in soils and crops, and tell us something about the type and condition of crops • The near-assurance of data collection is critical for time sensitive applications, in times of emergency (i.e. flooding), risk (i.e. disease), and for consistent measures over the entire growing season (i.e. monitoring crop condition) Why a RADARSAT Constellation? • The use of C-Band SAR has increased significantly since the launch of RADARSAT-1 • Many Government of Canada users have developed operational applications that deliver information and products to Canadians and the international community, based on RADARSAT • This constellation ensures C-Band continuity with improved system reliability, primarily to support current and future operational users • RCM is a government-owned mission, tailored to respond to Canadian Government needs for maritime surveillance, disaster management and ecosystem monitoring Improved stream flow forecasts1 Estimates of crop biomass2 AAFC’s annual crop inventory Produced by ACGEO Contact: [email protected] 1Bhuiyan, H.A.K.M, McNairn, H., Powers, J., and Merzouki, A. 2017. Application of HEC-HMS in a cold regions watershed and use of RADARSAT-2 soil moisture in initializing the model. Hydrology. 9: doi: 10.3390/hydrology4010009. 2Hosseini, M., and McNairn, H. 2017. Using multi-polarization C- and L-band radar to estimate biomass and soil moisture for wheat fields. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation. 58: 50-64. The Evolution of RADARSAT RADARSAT-1 (1997-2013) RADARSAT-Constellation 16 years RADARSAT-2 (2007-) launch 2018 RADARSAT-1 RADARSAT-2 RCM # satellites 1 1 3 Centre frequency 5.3 GHz 5.405 GHz 5.405 GHz Exact revisit 24 days 24 days 12 day (each satellite) 4 days (constellation) SAR time/orbit 28 min 28 min 15 min/sat Polarization HH HH, VV, HV, VH (Quad) HH, VV, HV, VH (quad) Compact pol. Look direction Right Right or Left Right Altitude 800 km 800 km 600 km Descending node 6 h 6 h 6 h +/- 15 min Ascending node 18 h 18 h 18 h +/- 15 min RCM improvements • Satellites will be equally spaced, 120 degrees apart Daily coverage • Per satellite, 15 minutes of imaging time per orbit with RADARSAT-2 4 days required for complete coverage Daily coverage with RCM Complete average daily coverage • Average daily revisit of any point over Canada • Exact 4-day repeat (as opposed to 24-day for R-1/2) allowing for 4-day coherent change detection • Compact polarimetry Image credits: CSA , MDA Canadian receiving stations Ground segment is based on existing infrastructure, using the national Gatineau, Prince Albert, and Inuvik stations for data reception and Telemetry Tracking & Command Image credit: Canadian Space Agency Image credit: Canadian Space Agency Specs for RCM imaging modes Image quality Cal/val will be performed using natural reference sites and artificial targets • Two new precision instruments installed at St-Hubert (CSA HQ and nearby) • Six corner reflectors will be deployed for RCM at three locations R&D is ongoing for the development of an advanced methodology to calibrate operationally RCM compact polarimetry Image credits: Canadian Space Agency Projected timelines Vibration and shock testing (summer 2017) Testing in thermal vacuum chamber (January 2017) Image credits: Canadian Space Agency Spacecraft status • The first spacecraft has completed Integrated System Test and mission-mode electro- magnetic compatibility (EMC) is underway; • The second spacecraft's two modulator units were found to be faulty and were removed and sent to sub-contractor. A repair scheme has been developed and implemented. Testing is scheduled to restart in mid-February; • The third spacecraft has completed Integrated System. The Integration campaign is on hold, as its X-band downlink modulators have been returned to the supplier for repair; • The launch in now planned for October 2018 (Space X Falcon 9 vehicle at Vandenberg Airforce Base, California) Standard coverages • RCM was designed primarily for Government of Canada “operational purposes” • RCM will systematically and recurrently image large areas in support of specific requirements • Predominantly over the Canadian Area of Interest • Designed to offer consistent and predictable SAR coverage • Long-term data archive built for exploitation of information based on long time series • Standard coverages consist of pre-defined and pre-planned data acquisition plans that are based on a common set of parameters such as imaging modes and geographic areas • Coverage plans are expected to be published on-line weeks/months ahead of acquisition (unless restricted for security reasons) RCM advancements important for agriculture Needed for monitoring changing conditions Rapid and Frequent Revisit An information rich mode Crop condition, harvesting, soil with up to 500 km coverage moisture etc. for use in crop mapping; crop condition and soil moisture monitoring Needed for soil Compact HH+VV moisture modeling Polarimetry Mode 13.