In 2007 and 2008 ASI launched three out of four X-band SAR satellites of the COSMO-SkyMed Mission, making available to the users a unique SAR constellation dedicated to the Earth Observation. The constellation will be completed with the launch of the fourth satellite in 2010. The complete deployed system consists of a constellation of four Low Earth Orbit mid-sized satellites, each equipped with a multi-mode high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) operating at X-band. The results coming from the utilisation of the first three satellites reveal an outstanding performance of the X-band SAR and the importance of fast response times in several applications such as risk and emergency management and ice monitoring. During the tragic event of the L'Aquila earthquake CSK monitored the areas affected by the quake detecting a surface displacement up to 19 cm. Also analyses were conducted to identify models of the fault causing the earthquake. Wilkins Ice Shelf relevant disintegration started in 2007-2008. On April 2009 another consistent collapse occurred, causing the brake of the ice bridge located between the Charcot Island and the Antarctic Peninsula. The phenomenon is going ahead and main cracks appeared also in the shelf placed between Latady Island and the Antarctic Peninsula
展开▼
