Passive Remote Sensing: allocations, sensors, measurements and applications

1. Passive Remote Sensing: allocations, sensors, measurements and applications Thomas.vonDeak@nasa.gov NASA HQ Spectrum Management Office Workshop on Disaster CommunicationsBandung, Indonesia, 28 March 2007 SESSION 1: PANEL ON KEY ELEMENTS TO EMERGENCY TELECOMMUNICATIONS Topic: �Remote sensing for disaster prediction, detection, response, and relief� Abstract: Remote sensing provides information to administrations and authorities throughout the entire cycle of disaster events. Microwave remote sensing was first recognized as a radiocommunication service (Earth Exploration Satellite Service) by the ITU-R World Radio Conference 1979. The United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/Res/41/65 �Principles relating to remote sensing of the Earth from space� provides that: �Remote sensing activities shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic, social or scientific and technological development, and taking into particular consideration the needs of the developing countries.� This presentation provides material on the capability and role of remote sensing for disaster prediction, detection, response, and relief. Speaker Biographical Sketch: Thomas vonDeak is a member of the NASA Headquarters Spectrum Management Office (SMO) located at Glenn Research Center and now represents NASA's interests in the US domestic and international regulatory process. Mr vonDeak has represented NASA in the International Telecommunications Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) in the areas of UltraWideBand device impact on radiocommunication services and the impact of unwanted emissions on sensor operation in purely passive bands. Mr vonDeak has served as the chairman of the Space Frequency Coordination Group(SFCG) Intersessional Working Group on EESS downlinks in the X-Band(IWG-EESS)and chaired two international EESS-X-Band Workshops. He is currently the chairman of the SFCG IWG on Disaster Management (IWG-DM) cataloging space-based sensors applications used in the area of disaster management. Mr vonDeak is also the Rapporteur of the ITU-D Study Question 22/2 "Utilization of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) for disaster management and active and passive sensing systems as they apply to disaster prediction, detection and mitigation"Workshop on Disaster CommunicationsBandung, Indonesia, 28 March 2007 SESSION 1: PANEL ON KEY ELEMENTS TO EMERGENCY TELECOMMUNICATIONS Topic: �Remote sensing for disaster prediction, detection, response, and relief� Abstract: Remote sensing provides information to administrations and authorities throughout the entire cycle of disaster events. Microwave remote sensing was first recognized as a radiocommunication service (Earth Exploration Satellite Service) by the ITU-R World Radio Conference 1979. The United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/Res/41/65 �Principles relating to remote sensing of the Earth from space� provides that: �Remote sensing activities shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic, social or scientific and technological development, and taking into particular consideration the needs of the developing countries.� This presentation provides material on the capability and role of remote sensing for disaster prediction, detection, response, and relief. Speaker Biographical Sketch: Thomas vonDeak is a member of the NASA Headquarters Spectrum Management Office (SMO) located at Glenn Research Center and now represents NASA's interests in the US domestic and international regulatory process. Mr vonDeak has represented NASA in the International Telecommunications Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) in the areas of UltraWideBand device impact on radiocommunication services and the impact of unwanted emissions on sensor operation in purely passive bands. Mr vonDeak has served as the chairman of the Space Frequency Coordination Group(SFCG) Intersessional Working Group on EESS downlinks in the X-Band(IWG-EESS)and chaired two international EESS-X-Band Workshops. He is currently the chairman of the SFCG IWG on Disaster Management (IWG-DM) cataloging space-based sensors applications used in the area of disaster management. Mr vonDeak is also the Rapporteur of the ITU-D Study Question 22/2 "Utilization of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) for disaster management and active and passive sensing systems as they apply to disaster prediction, detection and mitigation"

2. Passive Sensing Radio Regulation No. 1.183 (definition) Passive Sensor: A measuring instrument in the earth exploration-satellite service or in the space research service by means of which information is obtained by reception of radio waves of natural origin.

3. Remote sensing is a layered system Remote sensing is implemented in layers from terrestrial in-situ deployment, airborne campaigns, low-earth orbit missions, and geo-synchronous satellites. The data of many remote sensing missions is integrated with data of other missions at different vantage points. Data collected from different vantage points validates the overall data and increases the range of application to societal benefits. This is not to say however that all remote sensor data is interconnected. Any given instrument may be completely independent of other instruments. Remote sensing is implemented in layers from terrestrial in-situ deployment, airborne campaigns, low-earth orbit missions, and geo-synchronous satellites. The data of many remote sensing missions is integrated with data of other missions at different vantage points. Data collected from different vantage points validates the overall data and increases the range of application to societal benefits. This is not to say however that all remote sensor data is interconnected. Any given instrument may be completely independent of other instruments.

4. The complete remote sensing system addresses societal concerns As a conceptual model this diagram portrays the flow of data from the missions through the mission operations and experts associated with the mission (Data Management System) through to the application areas which confer societal benefits. This should not be taken to infer that all remote sensing operations are connected together into a single integrated system. Indeed, this model is replicated many times over for numerous systems that have no real interaction with one another.As a conceptual model this diagram portrays the flow of data from the missions through the mission operations and experts associated with the mission (Data Management System) through to the application areas which confer societal benefits. This should not be taken to infer that all remote sensing operations are connected together into a single integrated system. Indeed, this model is replicated many times over for numerous systems that have no real interaction with one another.

5. Passive sensors are designed to receive and measure natural emissions produced by the Earth�s surface and its atmosphere. The frequency and strength of these natural emissions characterize the type and status of many important geophysical, which describe the status of the Earth/Atmosphere/Oceans System: Earth surface parameters such as soil moisture, sea surface temperature, ice extension and age, snow cover, rainfall over land, etc ...�; Three-dimensional atmospheric parameters (low, medium, and upper atmosphere) such as wind circulation, temperature profiles, water vapour content and concentration profiles of radiatively and chemically important trace gazes (for instance O3, SO2 and ClO). Use of the Passive Bands

6. Microwave observations at frequencies below 100 GHz enable studies of the Earth�s surface and its atmosphere from spaceborne instruments even in the presence of clouds, because clouds are almost transparent at these frequencies. This "all-weather" observing capability has been very important for EESS in achieving the repetitive global coverage mandatory for meteorological, climatological, and environmental monitoring and surveying.  The impressive progress made in recent years in weather analysis, warning and forecasts, especially for dangerous weather phenomena that affect all populations and economies is largely attributable to the spaceborne observations and their assimilation in numerical models. Play a major role in the prediction and detection of disasters. Use of the Passive Bands

7. Typical bands and their main application: ?1400-1427 MHz: salinity (ocean), soil moisture (ground) ?10.6-10.7 MHz: rain, snow, ice, sea state, ocean wind ?23.6-24 GHz: total content of water vapour ?31.3-31.5 GHz: the lowest cumulated effects due to oxygen and water vapour in the vicinity of the 50 GHz band. Optimum window channel to see the Earth�s surface: reference for the other channels. ?36-37 GHz: cloud liquid water, vegetation structure, surface roughness ?50.2-50.4 GHz: temperature profile Use of the Passive Bands

8. Passive Sensors observe through the atmosphere

11. Aqua Instruments � AMSR-E Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for EOS 12-Channels, 6 frequencies 6.9-89.0 GHz dual-polarization 5.4-56 km footprint at nadir All weather

12. AMSR-E Products Precipitation Rate Cloud Water Surface wind speed over oceans Sea Surface Temperature Ice, Snow and Soil Moisture

13. Aqua Instruments � AMSU/A Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit 15 Microwave Channels 15-90 GHz ~40 km footprint at nadir All-Weather

16. Radiation Measurements to Vertical Soundings AIRS and AMSU data combined to create vertical soundings of temperature and humidity Air and/or water vapor at various heights (pressures) contribute to the total radiation measurement viewed from space. The contribution peaks at different pressures for different wavelengths

17. Improve Accuracy of Severe Weather Warnings Nores: Hurricane track prediction has improved about 20% over the last 10 years, due in part to both spaceborne and airborne EESS observations This year, for the first time, 5-day tropical storm and hurricane forecasts were issued 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. This becomes more important as more people live and develop property along the coastlines. Nores: Hurricane track prediction has improved about 20% over the last 10 years, due in part to both spaceborne and airborne EESS observations This year, for the first time, 5-day tropical storm and hurricane forecasts were issued 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. This becomes more important as more people live and develop property along the coastlines.

18. Disaster Management For each of the application areas a chart is provided describing the flow of data and data products through the modeling and decision process associated with the societal benefits. Please note that these are not exhaustive examinations and include modeling which is experimental in nature and not proven for operational use. In particular, earth quake modeling is experimental. Also provided on the chart are the US agencies and bureaus collaborating in the decision process.For each of the application areas a chart is provided describing the flow of data and data products through the modeling and decision process associated with the societal benefits. Please note that these are not exhaustive examinations and include modeling which is experimental in nature and not proven for operational use. In particular, earth quake modeling is experimental. Also provided on the chart are the US agencies and bureaus collaborating in the decision process.

19. Disaster Related Remote Sensing Applications Weather Prediction: a key input to numerical weather prediction models used globally for weather forecasting. (Microwave(passive)) Global Warming: concentrations and distributions of atmospheric gases, sea and land ice thickness and change, and ozone measurements are key components to studying and prediction of global warming. (Microwave(passive), Infrared) Severe Weather Events: the prediction of severe weather events requires accurate measurements of rain rates in storms over the oceans which is only possible with remote sensing satellites. (Microwave(passive)) Forest Fires: detection of fires through smoke by their microwave radiation. (Infrared) The next two charts provide descriptions of the uses of space based remote sensors in disaster related application areas. The next two charts provide descriptions of the uses of space based remote sensors in disaster related application areas.

20. Key Applications (continued) Management of Natural Resources: measurements of biomass, deforestation, and water resources through systematic environmental monitoring. (Microwave (passive), Infrared, Optical) Volcanoes: used to detect volcanic activity even before eruptions and to track and predict the volcanic fallout effects. (Optical, Microwave (active), Infrared, SubM) Shipping: used to track sea ice, ice floes, and ocean storms to steer ships out of harm�s way. (Optical, MW(active)) Long Range Climate Forecasts: study of global atmospheric and oceanic events such as El Ni�o requires sea surface temperature, ocean winds, ocean wave height, and many other components used in the prediction of long range weather forecasting and climatic trends. (Microwave (active/passive)) In the case of volcanic activity remote sensing is useful in monitoring its gaseous output and direction.In the case of volcanic activity remote sensing is useful in monitoring its gaseous output and direction.

21. Remote Sensing Report ITU-D SG 2 Question 22/2 �Utilization of ICT for disaster management, resources, and active and passive space-based sensing systems as they apply to disaster and emergency relief situations� Work Item 2: Identification and examination of active and passive sensing system applications for their potential effect in enhancing disaster mitigation. Version 1 of the Report is complete and available upon request from the presenter.

23. THANK YOU! Thomas vonDeak NASA HQ Spectrum Management Office

25. Global Passive Sensor Systems

26. Global Passive Sensor Systems

27. Global Passive Sensor Systems

28. 28 Capabilities of Space-Based Sensing

29. 29 Capabilities of Space-Based Sensing

30. 30 Capabilities of Space-Based Sensing

31. 31 Capabilities of Space-Based Sensing

32. 32 Capabilities of Space-Based Sensing

33. 33 Capabilities of Space-Based Sensing

34. 34 Capabilities of Space-Based Sensing