SARTREK Newsletter: October 2001

In This Issue:

1. SAR-based Technical Solutions for Ship Detection
2. Program and Operations Update
3. Did You Know

SAR-based Technical Solutions for Ship Detection

RADARSAT International recognized the potential use of RADARSAT-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data for ship detection early in the RADARSAT-1 program. The two basic approaches used are detection of the ship wake signature and detection of the ship target itself. RADARSAT-2 will not only provide continuity to RADARSAT-1 but will also offer improvements specific to ship detection applications, such as the dual polarization modes available in all RADARSAT-2 beam modes. For more information click here.

Select from the following for write-ups on SAR-based information for ship detection:

• Ship-Sea Contrast Optimization when Using Polarimetric SARs
• Applications Potential of RADARSAT-2-A Preview
• Vessel Detection Using SAR Imagery:
  Current Status and Some Views for the Future

Program and Operations Update

As part of our series covering RADARSAT-2 Operations, this month we review the Image Quality Subsystem (IQS). Within the RADARSAT-2 Ground Segment, the IQS is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the image quality of RADARSAT-2 products.

Did You Know

A number of SAR sensors will be available during the RADARSAT-2 era providing more frequent coverage and the opportunity to fully operationalize fisheries management and ship detection services. As noted in articles by Richard Olsen, Principal Scientist at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, more frequent coverage is key to improved utilization of SAR data for vessel surveillance.

For a comparison between the nominal RADARSAT-2 beam modes and two upcoming SAR satellite missions, the European ENVISAT and Japanese ALOS, click here.

Did You Also Know:

The Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) has just completed a review of the scientific potential of RADARSAT-2 features for key application areas. The report describes the extraction of information from RADARSAT-2-type SAR for 32 sub-applications. It also provides a summary of CCRS's view of the potential utility of RADARSAT-2 features within those applications. To view full paper click here.