Preparing for Operational Use of RADARSAT-2 Data at the Canadian Ice Service

摘要

As one of the world's largest operational users of RADARSAT-1 data, the Canadian Ice Service (CIS) is looking forward to the future launch of RADARSAT-2. The RADARSAT-2 end-to-end system promises several technical enhancements beyond RADARSAT-1 including multi-polar/polarimetric data, improved data handling/processing and throughput, and integrated on-line order handling which should be beneficial to the Ice Service. In order to prepare for operational use of the data, the CIS is working closely with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and MacDonald Detwiller (MDA) to ensure that the RADARSAT-2 system, particularly the Ground Segment, will best meet our operational needs. From the information content perspective, expected to be the most important improvement is the availability of dual-channel (like and cross-polarization) ScanSAR data. Ice versus water discrimination, sensitivity to surface topography and ridging, and enhanced iceberg detection capabilities are some of the expected improvements in this area. However, beyond purely the information content, there remain numerous challenges as to operational implementation required for exploiting the various improvements of the RADARSAT-2 system. Among these are: handling the increased data volumes of multi-channel data; developing new data display, visualisation, and analysis techniques; operational scenarios and potential use of left- and right-looking to improve spatio-temporal coverage; improved order handling and satellite tasking; and acquisition planning and integration with other spaceborne SAR data (i.e. Envisat). In this paper we report on efforts underway and ongoing at the CIS to address these elements necessary to be ready for the best operational use of RADARSAT-2 data when available.