CROPINS

The operational use of remote sensing data often demands a system that presents the analyst with multi-temporal imagery and interactive access to a database containing non-image information. The RSAC CROPINS system has been under continual development since 1996. The system has been used by RSAC since 1999 for an EU-wide programme that utilizes remote sensing to monitor farm subsidies paid under the Common Agricultural Policy. This programme represents one of the largest operational uses of remote sensing today.

CROPINS has also been used in the Land Parcel Information System (LPIS) project to create a land parcel database of farm land in England.

Other variations have been developed for precision farming, forestry and land use mapping applications.

CHRIS

Since 2002, RSAC has been providing, on behalf of ESA, mission planning support for the CHRIS instrument onboard the PROBA satellite.

CHRIS (Compact High Resolution Imaging Spectrometer) produces optical earth observation imagery in a variety of modes that comprise up to 36 discrete bandwidths.

Although only intended as a one year mission, there is now a very active CHRIS user group involving in the order of 100 scientists and 230 study sites located across 40 countries. A wide variety of applications - land, sea and atmosphere - are supported.

The PROBA mission objectives are primarily for in-orbit demonstration and evaluation of new technologies. The CHRIS instrument has a relatively modest imaging capacity which, at best, amounts to three image acquisitions across the globe per day. RSAC has the task of matching the high demand for CHRIS data with the limited supply. In order to maximise image quality, RSAC has developed an effective cloud cover prediction routine that helps to deliver a high proportion of cloud-free datasets.

LOWCHART

Satellite imagery is being used to produce maps of inter-tidal areas along the UK coast. Working with local partners DMC International Imaging Ltd (satellite data provider) and SeaZone Solutions Ltd (digital marine data provider), RSAC are responding to the challenge posed by sea level rise by developing services that provide information about inter-tidal features.

Inter-tidal areas are highly dynamic, as well as being difficult and expensive to survey. The regular and synoptic cover provided by DMC and other satellites enables RSAC to develop products that respond to SeaZone's users needs, and that can be incorporated with other marine data products.

This work is funded by ESA's Earth Observation Market Development (EOMD) Programme.

Windows on the World, UK and Universe

RSAC was responsible for the technical development and management of three multimedia educational CD-ROMs (Window on the World, Window on the UK 2000 and Window on the Universe) funded through the British National Space Centre and distributed with the Sunday Times Magazine (over 1.6 million copies each) and online, to international acclaim. The CDs sought to introduce students and the general public to the benefits of Earth Observation and Space Science technology.

RSAC made significant contributions throughout each project, not only submitting material, but also providing technical guidance on a variety of IT issues, and taking responsibility for product development and conversion of all content to web format.

More information can be found here.

ESA-MOST Cooperation Projects

Staff from RSAC acted as scientific consultants working closely with Chinese investigators on pilot projects to develop the use of SAR data in the fields of forestry, agriculture and flood monitoring. Specialised SAR image analysis and interferometric techniques were used. The project utilised China's good remote sensing, reception and satellite processing facilities, which were previously under-used.