Hyperspectral Analysis of Oil and Oil-Impacted Soils for Remote Sensing Purposes

While conventional multispectral sensors record the radiometric signal only at a handful of wavelengths, hyperspectral sensors measure the reflected solar signal at hundreds contiguous and narrow wavelength bands, spanning from the visible to the infrared. Hyperspectral images provide ample spectral information to identify and distinguish between spectrally similar (but unique) materials, providing the ability to make proper distinctions among materials with only subtle signature differences. Hyperspectral images show hence potentiality for proper discrimination between oil slicks and other natural phenomena (look-alike); and even for proper distinctions between oil types. Additionally they can give indications on oil volume. At present, many airborne hyperspectral sensors are available to collect data, but only two civil spaceborn hyperspectral sensors exist as technology demonstrator: the Hyperion sensor on NASA’s EO-1 satellite and the CHRIS sensor on the European Space Agency’s PROBA satellite. Consequently, the concrete opportunity to use spaceborn hyperspectral remote sensing for operational oil spill monitoring is yet not available. Nevertheless, it is clear that the future of satellite hyperspectral remote sensing of oil pollution in the marine/coastal environment is very promising. In order to correctly interpret the hyperspectral data, the retrieved spectral signatures must be correlated to specific materials. Therefore specific spectral libraries, containing the spectral signature of the materials to be detected, must be built up. This requires that highly accurate reflected light measurements of samples of the investigated material must be performed in the lab or in the field. Accurate measurements of the spectral reflectance of several samples of oil-contaminated soils have been performed in the laboratory, in the 400-2500 nm wavelength range. Samples of the oils spilt from the Erika and the Prestige tankers during the major accidents of 1999 and 2002 were also collected and analyzed in the same spectral range, using a portable spectrophotometer. All measurements showed the typical absorption features of hydrocarbon-bearing substances: the two absorption peaks centered at 1732 and 2310 nm.JRC.G.3-Agricultur

Policy Document on Earth Observation for Urban Planning and Management: State of the Art and Recommendations for Application of Earth Observation in Urban Planning

A policy document on earth observation for urban planning and management resulting from a workshop held in Hong Kong in November 2006 is presented. The aim of the workshop was to provide a forum for researchers and scientists specializing in earth observation to interact with practitioners working in different aspects of city planning, in a complex and dynamic city, Hong Kong. A summary of the current state of the art, limitations, and recommendations for the use of earth observation in urban areas is presented here as a policy document

Assessing the utility of geospatial technologies to investigate environmental change within lake systems

Over 50% of the world's population live within 3. km of rivers and lakes highlighting the on-going importance of freshwater resources to human health and societal well-being. Whilst covering c. 3.5% of the Earth's non-glaciated land mass, trends in the environmental quality of the world's standing waters (natural lakes and reservoirs) are poorly understood, at least in comparison with rivers, and so evaluation of their current condition and sensitivity to change are global priorities. Here it is argued that a geospatial approach harnessing existing global datasets, along with new generation remote sensing products, offers the basis to characterise trajectories of change in lake properties e.g., water quality, physical structure, hydrological regime and ecological behaviour. This approach furthermore provides the evidence base to understand the relative importance of climatic forcing and/or changing catchment processes, e.g. land cover and soil moisture data, which coupled with climate data provide the basis to model regional water balance and runoff estimates over time. Using examples derived primarily from the Danube Basin but also other parts of the World, we demonstrate the power of the approach and its utility to assess the sensitivity of lake systems to environmental change, and hence better manage these key resources in the future

The First Vega Ride-Share Mission Flight

The first European ride-share mission will be carried out by the Vega launch system in September 2019. The VEGA PoC (Proof of Concept) flight using the SSMS (Small Satellite Mission Service) hardware was conceived in the context of ESA LLL Initiative. This paper reports on the highlights of the preparation of the first European rideshare mission with Vega launcher and on the development of the related launch system. Based on Vega flights accumulated experience, the development of multi-Payload mission concept started from analysis of the activities currently foreseen to fly a single payload mission adapted to the needs of multi payload rideshare missions. After evaluation of impacts in terms of technical feasibility, missioning schedule and related programmatic and cost elements for the missioning of the Light Sats launch service, the implementation phase was initiated and description of its major tasks is the focus of this paper. The described hardware development and processes to reach SSMS PoC flight using the Vega launch system, are the first step towards the ultimate goal of a finally optimized process for Light Sats ride-share missions applicable to all European launchers

Earth Observations and Integrative Models in Support of Food and Water Security

Global food production depends upon many factors that Earth observing satellites routinely measure about water, energy, weather, and ecosystems. Increasingly sophisticated, publicly-available satellite data products can improve efficiencies in resource management and provide earlier indication of environmental disruption. Satellite remote sensing provides a consistent, long-term record that can be used effectively to detect large-scale features over time, such as a developing drought. Accuracy and capabilities have increased along with the range of Earth observations and derived products that can support food security decisions with actionable information. This paper highlights major capabilities facilitated by satellite observations and physical models that have been developed and validated using remotely-sensed observations. Although we primarily focus on variables relevant to agriculture, we also include a brief description of the growing use of Earth observations in support of aquaculture and fisheries

PyrSat - Prevention and response to wild fires with an intelligent Earth observation CubeSat

Forest fires are a pervasive and serious problem. Besides loss of life and extensive environmental damage, fires also result in substantial economic losses, not to mention property damage, injuries, displacements and hardships experienced by the affected citizens. This project proposes a low-cost intelligent hyperspectral 3U CubeSat for the production of fire risk and burnt area maps. It applies Machine Learning algorithms to autonomously process images and obtain final data products on-board the satellite for direct transmission to users on the ground. Used in combination with other services such as EFFIS or AFIS, the system could considerably reduce the extent and consequences of forest fires

2008 Exhibitors

Listings and Descriptions of 2008 Small Satellite Conference Exhibitor

Generation of a Land Cover Atlas of environmental critic zones using unconventional tools

L'abstract è presente nell'allegato / the abstract is in the attachmen

Community Review of Southern Ocean Satellite Data Needs

This review represents the Southern Ocean community’s satellite data needs for the coming decade. Developed through widespread engagement, and incorporating perspectives from a range of stakeholders (both research and operational), it is designed as an important community-driven strategy paper that provides the rationale and information required for future planning and investment. The Southern Ocean is vast but globally connected, and the communities that require satellite-derived data in the region are diverse. This review includes many observable variables, including sea-ice properties, sea-surface temperature, sea-surface height, atmospheric parameters, marine biology (both micro and macro) and related activities, terrestrial cryospheric connections, sea-surface salinity, and a discussion of coincident and in situ data collection. Recommendations include commitment to data continuity, increase in particular capabilities (sensor types, spatial, temporal), improvements in dissemination of data/products/uncertainties, and innovation in calibration/validation capabilities. Full recommendations are detailed by variable as well as summarized. This review provides a starting point for scientists to understand more about Southern Ocean processes and their global roles, for funders to understand the desires of the community, for commercial operators to safely conduct their activities in the Southern Ocean, and for space agencies to gain greater impact from Southern Ocean-related acquisitions and missions.The authors acknowledge the Climate at the Cryosphere program and the Southern Ocean Observing System for initiating this community effort, WCRP, SCAR, and SCOR for endorsing the effort, and CliC, SOOS, and SCAR for supporting authors’ travel for collaboration on the review. Jamie Shutler’s time on this review was funded by the European Space Agency project OceanFlux Greenhouse Gases Evolution (Contract number 4000112091/14/I-LG)