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Remote Sensing Through

Satellite Technology

Remote Sensing Remote Sensing ThroughThrough

Satellite TechnologySatellite Technology

REMOTEREMOTE SENSINGSENSING• The study of something without making

actual contact with the object• Making measurements of the physical

properties of an object from a remote distance

• Satellite technology is an example of remote sensing

• Satellites measure properties of the Earth and transmit the data to receiving stations

•• The study of something without making The study of something without making actual contact with the objectactual contact with the object

•• Making measurements of the Making measurements of the physicalphysicalproperties of an object from a remote properties of an object from a remote distancedistance

•• Satellite technology is an example of Satellite technology is an example of remote sensingremote sensing

•• Satellites measure properties of the Earth Satellites measure properties of the Earth and and transmittransmit the data to receiving stationsthe data to receiving stations

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The Process of Remote SensingThe Process of Remote Sensing

A.A. There are interactions with the atmosphereThere are interactions with the atmosphereB.B. The energy reaches the target, or object on The energy reaches the target, or object on

Earth being studied and interacts with the Earth being studied and interacts with the target based on the targettarget based on the target’’s properties.s properties.

C.C. Energy scattered by or emitted from the Energy scattered by or emitted from the target is then collected by the sensortarget is then collected by the sensor

D.D. The sun, or the satellite itself, is the energy The sun, or the satellite itself, is the energy source that provides electromagnetic source that provides electromagnetic energyenergy

E.E. The sensor transmits the electronic The sensor transmits the electronic information to a receiving and processing information to a receiving and processing station. Here, it is processed into an imagestation. Here, it is processed into an image

F.F. The processed image is then interpreted to The processed image is then interpreted to learn about the targetlearn about the target

G.G. The information is applied so that we better The information is applied so that we better understand the target, learn something new understand the target, learn something new about the target, or solve a particular about the target, or solve a particular problemproblem

ELECTROMAGNETIC ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUMSPECTRUM

•• Radiation energy that is Radiation energy that is emitted in wave form by all emitted in wave form by all substancessubstances

•• The basis for all remote The basis for all remote sensing of the earthsensing of the earth

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Electromagnetic RadiationElectromagnetic RadiationElectromagnetic radiation consists of an electrical field, E and a magnetic field, M. Both of these fields travel at the speed of light, c. Different kind of electromagnetic radiation can be distinguished by wavelength and frequency.

Wavelength (λ)

Wavelength is the length of one wave cycle, which is the distance between two consecutive wave crests

Frequency (v)

Frequency is the number of waves that that pass a point in a given amount of time

Wavelength and frequency are related by the following formula:

c=λv

c- speed of light λ-wavelength v- frequency

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum is an arrangement of all the types of electromagnetic radiation ordered according to wavelength

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MicrowavesMicrowaves

Microwaves have Microwaves have wavelengths that can wavelengths that can be measured in be measured in centimeters! The centimeters! The longer microwaves, longer microwaves, those closer to a foot those closer to a foot in length, are the in length, are the waves which heat our waves which heat our food in a microwave food in a microwave oven. oven.

Infrared (IR) LightInfrared (IR) Light•• Infrared lightInfrared light lies between lies between

the visible and microwave the visible and microwave portions of the electromagnetic portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. spectrum.

•• Infrared light has a range of Infrared light has a range of wavelengths, just like visible wavelengths, just like visible light, that range from red light light, that range from red light to violet. to violet.

•• "Near infrared" light is closest "Near infrared" light is closest in wavelength to visible light in wavelength to visible light

•• ““Far infrared" is closer to the Far infrared" is closer to the microwave region of the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum. electromagnetic spectrum.

•• The longer, far infrared The longer, far infrared wavelengths are about the size wavelengths are about the size of a pin head and the shorter, of a pin head and the shorter, near infrared ones are the size near infrared ones are the size of cells, or are microscopic. of cells, or are microscopic.

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Far Infrared: ThermalFar Infrared: Thermal•• Far infrared waves are Far infrared waves are

thermal. We experience this thermal. We experience this type of infrared radiation every type of infrared radiation every day in the form of heat! The day in the form of heat! The heat that we feel from heat that we feel from sunlight, a fire, a radiator or a sunlight, a fire, a radiator or a warm sidewalk is infrared. The warm sidewalk is infrared. The temperaturetemperature--sensitive nerve sensitive nerve endings in our skin can detect endings in our skin can detect the difference between inside the difference between inside body temperature and outside body temperature and outside skin temperature. skin temperature.

•• Infrared light is sometimes Infrared light is sometimes used to heat food used to heat food -- special special lamps that emit thermal lamps that emit thermal infrared waves are often used infrared waves are often used in fast food restaurants! in fast food restaurants!

Short InfraredShort Infrared

Shorter, near infrared Shorter, near infrared waves are not hot at waves are not hot at all all -- in fact you in fact you cannot even feel cannot even feel them. These shorter them. These shorter wavelengths are the wavelengths are the ones used by your ones used by your TV's remote control. TV's remote control.

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Visible LightVisible Light•• Visible light is light that our eyes Visible light is light that our eyes

can seecan see•• Visible light makes up an Visible light makes up an

extremely small part of the extremely small part of the electromagnetic spectrumelectromagnetic spectrum

•• Range from about 0.4 to 0.7Range from about 0.4 to 0.7µµmm•• Blue, red and green are the Blue, red and green are the

primary colors of light. All other primary colors of light. All other colors can be made by combining colors can be made by combining them in various proportions. them in various proportions. here here for an interesting activity.for an interesting activity.

•• Each color has a different Each color has a different wavelength. Red has the longest wavelength. Red has the longest wavelength and violet has the wavelength and violet has the shortest wavelength. When all the shortest wavelength. When all the waves are seen together, they waves are seen together, they make white light. make white light.

Ultraviolet (UV) LightUltraviolet (UV) Light

•• Ultraviolet (UV) light has shorter Ultraviolet (UV) light has shorter wavelengths than visible light. wavelengths than visible light.

•• Though these waves are invisible to the Though these waves are invisible to the human eye, some insects, like human eye, some insects, like bumblebees, can see them!bumblebees, can see them!

•• Though some ultraviolet waves from the Though some ultraviolet waves from the Sun penetrate Earth's atmosphere, most Sun penetrate Earth's atmosphere, most of them are blocked from entering by of them are blocked from entering by various gases like Ozone. various gases like Ozone.

•• Some days, more ultraviolet waves get Some days, more ultraviolet waves get through our atmosphere. Scientists have through our atmosphere. Scientists have developed a UV index to help people developed a UV index to help people protect themselves from these harmful protect themselves from these harmful ultraviolet waves. ultraviolet waves.

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A Infrared and Remote SensingTo make infrared pictures like the one above, we can use special cameras and film that detect differences in temperature, and then assign a different brightness or false colors to them. This provides a picture that our eyes can interpret. there is more detail in the clouds in the infrared. This is great for studying cloud structure. Since the primary source of infrared radiation is heat or thermal radiation, any object which has a temperature radiates in the infrared. Even objects that we think of as being very cold, such as an ice cube, emit infrared. When an object is not quite hot enough to radiate visible light, it will emit most of its energy in the infrared.

Visible Light and Remote SensingVisible Light and Remote Sensing

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Infrared and Remote SensingInfrared and Remote Sensing

•• Measures radiation emitted from the Earth at a Measures radiation emitted from the Earth at a wavelength that can penetrate the atmosphere.wavelength that can penetrate the atmosphere.

•• Allows surface temperatures to be measured Allows surface temperatures to be measured from space.from space.

•• Can be used with out lightCan be used with out light

What Are Satellites?What Are Satellites?

•• Satellites are smaller objects traveling Satellites are smaller objects traveling around larger objectsaround larger objects

•• Satellites may be manSatellites may be man--made or natural, like made or natural, like the moonthe moon

•• The two main types of satellites are polarThe two main types of satellites are polar--orbiting and geostationaryorbiting and geostationary

•• Satellites are designed for three general Satellites are designed for three general purposes: science, applications, or purposes: science, applications, or communicationscommunications

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Artificial SatellitesArtificial Satellites

Artificial Satellites are humanArtificial Satellites are human--made space craft that are made space craft that are built and sent into space by people. These spacecraft built and sent into space by people. These spacecraft can be crewed, such as the Space Shuttle, or can be crewed, such as the Space Shuttle, or uncreweduncrewed, , such as NASAsuch as NASA’’s Hubble Space Telescopes Hubble Space Telescope

NPOESS SatelliteHubble Space Telescope

Communications Satellite

PolarPolar--Orbiting SatellitesOrbiting Satellites

Polar orbiting satellites travel in a circular pattern over the Polar orbiting satellites travel in a circular pattern over the North and the North and the South Poles, so they can look at large portions of the Earth as South Poles, so they can look at large portions of the Earth as it turns it turns below them. Polarbelow them. Polar--orbiting satellites are placed into a loworbiting satellites are placed into a low--Earth orbit. Earth orbit. They orbit at about 800 kilometers (500 miles) above the Earth. They orbit at about 800 kilometers (500 miles) above the Earth. They They travel at about 17,000 miles per hour.travel at about 17,000 miles per hour.

METOP

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Geostationary SatellitesGeostationary Satellites

Geostationary satellites orbit the Earth at about 22,300 miles above the equator. Seen from Earth, the satellite appears to be floating over a certain spot on the equator. They are primarily used for weather and communication.

Scientific SatellitesScientific Satellites

• Most well-known type of satellite

• Information from these satellites clarify the Earth’s history, present condition, and what the future may hold

• Other scientific satellites look away from the Earth, studying the sun, stars, planets and other aspects of the universe

•• Most wellMost well--known type of known type of satellitesatellite

•• Information from these Information from these satellites clarify the satellites clarify the EarthEarth’’s history, present s history, present condition, and what the condition, and what the future may holdfuture may hold

•• Other scientific satellites Other scientific satellites look away from the Earth, look away from the Earth, studying the sun, stars, studying the sun, stars, planets and other aspects planets and other aspects of the universeof the universe

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Application/Weather SatellitesApplication/Weather Satellites•• Application satellites are used to test Application satellites are used to test

and develop ways to improve global and develop ways to improve global weather forecastingweather forecasting

•• These satellites are vital in predicting These satellites are vital in predicting where and when tropical storms, where and when tropical storms, hurricanes, floods, cyclones, tidal hurricanes, floods, cyclones, tidal waves and forest fires may strikewaves and forest fires may strike

•• The Television Infrared Observation The Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS), launched in 1960, Satellite (TIROS), launched in 1960, was the first of a series of was the first of a series of meteorological satellites to carry meteorological satellites to carry television cameras to photograph the television cameras to photograph the EarthEarth’’s cloud cover for research and s cloud cover for research and forecasting forecasting

•• Later satellites, like the series of Later satellites, like the series of Nimbus satellites first launched in Nimbus satellites first launched in 1964, had infrared cameras as well. 1964, had infrared cameras as well. These satellites improved upon storm These satellites improved upon storm and hurricane forecasting and played a and hurricane forecasting and played a major role in the study of ozone major role in the study of ozone depletion depletion

Communications SatellitesCommunications Satellites• First commercial satellites• Aluminum-coated balloons

were the first communications satellites

• The first commercially-launched satellite was Telestar1, launched by AT&T in 1962. It transmitted photos and phone calls between America and Europe. This satellite was capable of 600 phone channelsor one television channel

• Today, satellites like Intelsat provide up to 120,000 simultaneous two-way telephone circuits

•• FirstFirst commercial satellitescommercial satellites•• AluminumAluminum--coated balloons coated balloons

were the first communications were the first communications satellitessatellites

•• The first commerciallyThe first commercially--launched satellite was launched satellite was TelestarTelestar1, launched by AT&T in 1962. 1, launched by AT&T in 1962. It transmitted photos and It transmitted photos and phone calls between America phone calls between America and Europe. This satellite was and Europe. This satellite was capable of 600 capable of 600 phone channelsphone channelsor one television channelor one television channel

•• Today, satellites like Intelsat Today, satellites like Intelsat provide up to 120,000 provide up to 120,000 simultaneous twosimultaneous two--way way telephone circuitstelephone circuits

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Satellite MotionSatellite Motion

A satellite is a projectile. A projectile is A satellite is a projectile. A projectile is an object upon which the only force an object upon which the only force acting is gravity. acting is gravity.

Satellite MotionSatellite Motion

The force of gravity The force of gravity accelerates the accelerates the satellite towards satellite towards Earth.Earth.While a satellite does While a satellite does fall towards the Earth, fall towards the Earth, it never falls it never falls intointoEarth. This is Earth. This is because the Earth is because the Earth is round (it curves).round (it curves).

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Satellite MotionSatellite Motion

In order for a satellite In order for a satellite to successfully orbit to successfully orbit the Earth, it must the Earth, it must travel a horizontal travel a horizontal distance of 8000 distance of 8000 meters before falling meters before falling a vertical distance of a vertical distance of 5 meters.5 meters.

National Polar OrbitingNational Polar Orbiting--Operational Operational Environmental Satellite SystemEnvironmental Satellite System

(NPOESS(NPOESS))

• The next generation environmental satellite system

• Serving civil, military and scientific community

• Polar orbiting satellites observing Earth from space

•• The next generation The next generation environmental satellite environmental satellite systemsystem

•• Serving civil, military and Serving civil, military and scientific communityscientific community

•• Polar orbiting satellites Polar orbiting satellites observing Earth from space observing Earth from space

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THREE AGENCIESTHREE AGENCIES----ONE MISSIONONE MISSION

• Combines civilian and military environmental remote sensing into a single national system

• Combines separate and often duplicative capabilities

• Program managed by the Integrated Program Office (IPO)

•• Combines civilian and military environmental Combines civilian and military environmental remote sensing into a single national remote sensing into a single national systemsystem

•• CombinesCombines separate and often duplicative separate and often duplicative capabilitiescapabilities

•• ProgramProgram managed by the Integrated Program managed by the Integrated Program Office (Office (IPO)IPO)

BackgroundBackgroundNPOESS will provide civilian NPOESS will provide civilian leaders and military leaders and military commanders timely, accurate, commanders timely, accurate, and reliable environmental data and reliable environmental data to protect U.S. lives and to protect U.S. lives and property and ensure the property and ensure the NationNation’’s environmental, s environmental, economic, national, and economic, national, and homeland security. NPOESS is a homeland security. NPOESS is a pathfinder interagency program pathfinder interagency program with contributions from DOC, with contributions from DOC, DOD, and NASA.DOD, and NASA.

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Civilian BenefitsCivilian Benefits• Timely, accurate, and cost-

effective public warnings and forecasts of severe weather events, reduce the potential loss of human life and property and advance the national economy

• Support of general aviation, agriculture, and maritime communities aimed at increasing U.S. productivity

• Commitment to support long-term data continuity for environmental monitoring and Global Change Assessment

•• Timely, accurate, and costTimely, accurate, and cost--effective public warnings effective public warnings and forecasts of severe and forecasts of severe weather events, reduce the weather events, reduce the potential loss of human life potential loss of human life and property and advance and property and advance the national economythe national economy

•• Support of general aviation, Support of general aviation, agriculture, and maritime agriculture, and maritime communities aimed at communities aimed at increasing U.S. productivityincreasing U.S. productivity

•• Commitment to support Commitment to support longlong--term data continuity term data continuity for environmental for environmental monitoring and Global monitoring and Global Change AssessmentChange Assessment

Protect Safety of Life and Property

Improved Microwave Imagery/Sounding products will improve prediction of wind speed and direction.

Improve the Accuracy of Severe Weather Warnings

JDW

JDW

Increase in hurricane landfall forecast skill will save an estimated $1 million per mile of coastline that does not have to be evacuated.

Improved early warnings mitigate the devastating effects of floods through disaster planning and response.

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National Security BenefitsNational Security Benefits

•• Shift tactical and strategic Shift tactical and strategic focus from focus from ““coping with coping with weatherweather”” to anticipating to anticipating and exploiting atmospheric and exploiting atmospheric and space environmental and space environmental conditionsconditions

•• Weather permeates all Weather permeates all aspects of military aspects of military operations. NPOESS data operations. NPOESS data will provide situational will provide situational awareness which is critical awareness which is critical to:to:

•• Strategic Planning Strategic Planning Tactical SuperiorityTactical Superiority

Technological BenefitsTechnological Benefits•• Advanced cutting edge Advanced cutting edge

sensors increases sensors increases accuracyaccuracy

•• Higher spatial resolution Higher spatial resolution since polar since polar stellitesstellites are are closer to the Earthcloser to the Earth

•• 95% of data delivered 95% of data delivered within 28 minuteswithin 28 minutes

•• And many other benefitsAnd many other benefits

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> 77% of data delivered within 15 min

EndEnd--toto--End EDR LatencyEnd EDR Latency

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Time from Observation to Delivery (minutes)

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How Will the NPOESS Satellites Send Data?How Will the NPOESS Satellites Send Data?

1. Sensors collect raw data which arepackaged by computers on board the satellite

2. Radio waves carry the raw data stream to the ground station

Ground Station

3. Raw data areconverted into digital form at the ground station

4. data are sent through fiber optic cables to users

Civilian and Military Agencies

5. data are used to create useful images

Mobile or Laptop Field Terminal

Some data will be available for retrieval at military field terminals

The circles represent the areas in which data may be transmitted from the satellite to the ground stations.

The data are stored on satellites until the satellite is over one of the 14 ground stations (safety net).

The circles represent the areas in which data may be transmittedThe circles represent the areas in which data may be transmitted from the satellite to the from the satellite to the ground stations. ground stations.

The The data aredata are stored on satellites until the satellite is over one of the 14 stored on satellites until the satellite is over one of the 14 ground stations ground stations (safety net). (safety net).

Safety Net: Ground Stations

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NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP)

•NPP, or the NPOESS Preparatory Project, is an instrument risk reduction mission.

•In 2006, the NPP satellite will be launched.

•The NPP satellite will have the following four sensors onboard:

VIIRS Vis/IR Imager Radiometer Suite (IPO)CrIS Cross-track IR Sounder (IPO)

ATMS Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (NASA)

OMPS Ozone Mapping and Profile Suite (IPO)

•Scientists will use the NPP satellite as a test satellite. Any problems that are found with the satellite and sensors or with the ground stations may be corrected before NPOESS is launched. Users may also evaluate the information that they are receiving from the satellite.•The NPP satellite will take over gathering data for NASA’s EOS Terra/Aqua/Aura missions

Satellites and their Sensors

CMIS

VIIRSCrIS

ATMS

ERBSOMPS

NPOESS 1330 Configuration

Single Satellite Design with Common Sensor Locations

Single Satellite Design with Common Sensor Locations

1330 1730 2130VIIRS X X XCMIS X X XCrIS X XATMS X XSESS XOMPS XADCS X XSARSAT X X XERBS XSS X X XALT XTSIS XAPS X

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NPOESS Instruments

VIIRS VIIRS Visible IR Imaging Radiometer SuiteVisible IR Imaging Radiometer Suite

•• ImageryImagery•• SeaSea--surface temperaturesurface temperature•• Aerosol optical thicknessAerosol optical thickness•• Aerosol particle sizeAerosol particle size•• Surface albedoSurface albedo•• Cloud base heightCloud base height•• Cloud cover/layersCloud cover/layers•• Cloud Effective particle sizeCloud Effective particle size•• Cloud top heightCloud top height•• Cloud top pressureCloud top pressure•• Cloud top TemperatureCloud top Temperature•• Ice surface temperatureIce surface temperature•• Land surface temperatureLand surface temperature•• Ocean color/chlorophyllOcean color/chlorophyll•• Precipitable waterPrecipitable water•• Sea ice characterizationSea ice characterization•• Snow cover/depthSnow cover/depth•• Surface typeSurface type•• Active firesActive fires•• Suspended MatterSuspended Matter•• Vegitative indexVegitative index•• Net heat fluxNet heat flux

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OMPSOMPSOzone Mapping And Profiler SuiteOzone Mapping And Profiler Suite

•• Ozone total column Ozone total column profileprofile

CRISCRISCross Track IR SounderCross Track IR Sounder

ATMSAdvanced Technology Microwave Sounder

•Atmosphere Vertical Moisture Profile

•Atmosphere Vertical Temperature Profile

•Pressure (Surface/profile)

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ResourcesCD ROM Sentinels Against the StormNASA Facts Online, NASA Fact Sheets, “Satellites,”http://pao.gsfc.nasa.gov/gsfc/service/gallery/fact_sheets/general/satsum.htm, 7/13/2004Fundamentals of Remote Sensing, Natural Resources Canada, 7/13http://www.ccrs.nrcan.gc.ca/ccrs/learn/tutorials/fundam/chapter1/chapter1_1_e.htmlhttp://imagers.gsfc.nasa.gov/ Imagers Project 7/14http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/sats_n_data/sat_to_grnd.htmlhttp://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr162/lect/light/spectrum.htmlhttp://www.fishponds.freeserve.co.uk/emspectrum/microwave.htmlhttp://teach.fcps.net/trt10/PowerPoint.htmJeopardy gamehttp://www.fearofphysics.com/Satellite/satellite.html

physics of satellitehttp://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/vectors/u3l2a.htmlProjectile factsJill Twetten and Tress Potter