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Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education Robust Imaging from Space Satellite SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) August 2012 Acknowledgements: CTG Consulting and the CRCSI team acknowledges and appreciates the contributions and support from the project sponsors, colleagues, associates and the international space industry community in compiling the information and reviewing draft material for this report. Authors: Mark Watt – CTG Consulting Prof. Tony Milne, Dr. Mark Williams, and Dr. Anthea Mitchell – CRCSI Disclaimer This report has been prepared on behalf of and for the benefit of the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research, Training and Education. CTG accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever, for or in respect of any use of or reliance upon this report by any third party. Robust Imaging from Space Satellite SAR Final Report i About this report This report is based on the premise that Australia is committed to active participation in the space- based economy and Earth Observation applications are considered to be a key focus of national significance1. The strategic importance of Australia’s commitment to a national space industry has substantial benefits to justify investments in the technology development and business engineering required before Australia can be recognised as internationally competitive in space. The strategic drivers for such benefits include policies for; Knowledge Working Economy – in all advanced industrialised economies it has been the technology and knowledge based industries that have driven the rise in jobs and exports2. International Technology Advancement – commitment to being less dependent on importing key technologies and skills required for local industry development. Economic Development – leveraging innovation, technology and skills to maximise export and foreign investment potential. International Relations – active participation in Global Earth Observation initiatives to foster political, social, environmental and financial relationships with developed and developing nations. An appropriate vision statement that could provide context and alignment with the principles for a national space industry is suggested as follows. To develop Australia’s resilience in earth observations from space in the acquisition, analysis and application of satellite SAR (synthetic aperture radar) data. The purpose of this report is to provide the Australian Government with an assessment of the need for the development and operation of a space-based Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging capability in Australia. The question this report addresses is: What would be the most appropriate SAR satellite technology and infrastructure to meet Australia’s needs and how can this best be achieved? Two adjunct reference documents compliment this report, which are available on the CRCSI Radar Research Facility website: http://crcsi.com.au/Research/Radar-Research-Facility 1. SAR Sensor Specifications (Adjunct Reference Document #1) 2. SAR Application Case Studies (Adjunct Reference Document #2) 1 http://www.space.gov.au/SpacePolicyUnit/Documents/Principles for a National Space Industry Policy.pdf 2 Design in the knowledge economy 2020 – Hutton (2012) Robust Imaging from Space Satellite SAR Final Report ii Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................... 5 2 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 9 2.1 Project background and scope ................................................................................................................. 9 2.2 Objectives ................................................................................................................................................ 9 2.3 Approach................................................................................................................................................ 10 2.4 Policy Guidelines .................................................................................................................................... 10 3 Assessment of the current state of SAR ................................................................................................... 11 3.1 Background ............................................................................................................................................ 11 3.2 The SAR advantage ................................................................................................................................ 13 3.3 SAR alignment with Australian National Priorities ................................................................................ 17 3.4 Expanding SAR applications in Australia - Potential .............................................................................. 23 4 The case for change ................................................................................................................................. 27 4.1 SAR data access ..................................................................................................................................... 27 4.2 Demand for SAR ..................................................................................................................................... 30 4.3 Gap assessment ..................................................................................................................................... 34 4.4 SAR alternatives ..................................................................................................................................... 36 4.5 Emerging technologies .......................................................................................................................... 37 5 Potential future ownership models for developing SAR capability in Australia ........................................ 38 5.1 Option 1: Buying SAR imagery from third parties .................................................................................. 38 5.2 Option 2: Fractional ownership of civilian capability with other nations .............................................. 39 5.3 Option 3: Australian civilian/military dual use SAR imaging capability ................................................. 40 5.4 Option 4: Stand-alone civilian SAR imaging capability .......................................................................... 42 6 Opportunities for collaboration ............................................................................................................... 43 7 Foundation for future SAR capability ....................................................................................................... 46 7.1 Remote sensing strategy alignment ...................................................................................................... 47 7.2 Enablers of change................................................................................................................................. 48 7.3 EOS value chain system ......................................................................................................................... 48 7.4 Strategies to get to target state (2018 – 2025) ..................................................................................... 51 7.5 A way forward ....................................................................................................................................... 53 7.6 Cost considerations ................................................................................................................................ 54 8 Conclusions .............................................................................................................................................. 56 8.1 Key findings ............................................................................................................................................ 56 8.2 Recommendations ................................................................................................................................. 58 Appendix A – Consultation List ......................................................................................................................... 61 Appendix B – SAR Systems and Timelines ........................................................................................................ 63 Appendix C – Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations ......................................................................................... 71 Robust Imaging from Space Satellite SAR Final Report iii List of Figures Figure 1- The electromagnetic spectrum ................................................................................................................ 14 Figure 2 - Currently operational SAR satellites by country. ..................................................................................... 17 Figure 3 - Flooding in Rockhampton, Queensland .................................................................................................. 19 Figure 4 - Ship detection using TerraSAR-X imagery ............................................................................................... 20 Figure 5 - Detection of ship’s wake (Kelvin wake) using RADARSAT-1 data ............................................................ 20 Figure 6 - Montara oil spill in Timor Sea 2009 ........................................................................................................