Shell SAR R&D Study for ice operations Kim Partington, Polar Imaging Paul Verlaan, Shell
Background to Study Shell is nearing completion of its first season of custom ice monitoring in Alaska We are entering an era of more choice for satellite SAR sensors Good time to review SAR data strategy
Need to replace RADARSAT-1 2007 ops 2008 ops 2009 ops RADARSAT-1 2005 2006 2009 2007 2008
Available SAR sensors X band C band L band 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 TERRASAR-X COSMO-SKYMED-1 X band COSMO-SKYMED-2 COSMO-SKYMED-3 COSMO-SKYMED-4 ENVISAT RADARSAT-1 C band RADARSAT-2 RISAT ALOS L band 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Objectives To make recommendations to Shell with regard to their 2008 SAR planning for ice operations To consider both: Imaging capabilities of new SAR sensors Fit of different sensors to Shell operational requirements
Traditional SAR issues that can now be addressed.. Limited backup and redundancy Sub-optimal revisit Imaging ambiguities Operational issues Ordering lead time Price } Consider more than one SAR Use more than one polarisation (/frequency?) Capabilities are improving, not sure about price!
Various options…
Dual Polarisation ScanSAR X band Credit NASA JPL C band RADARSAT-2 RISAT L band 2005 2006 2009 2007 2008
X band ScanSAR X band C band L band 2005 2006 2009 2007 2008 COSMO-SKYMED Sub-daily revisit C band L band 2005 2006 2009 2007 2008
Plus others.. ALOS L band ScanSAR Global mode? Finer resolution polarimetric mode for occasional detailed operations? Complementary combinations of the afore-mentioned Credit Vexcel UK and ESA
Study Plan
Shell R&D study: areas Camden Bay Circumpolar Flaw Lead study area Shell operations Potential validation from operations Custom ice charting Circumpolar Flaw Lead study area Scientific campaign coordinated by University of Manitoba Ship and airborne observations Potential links to CIS validation plans for RADARSAT-2
Shell R&D Study: Data Collection TERRASAR-X R&D study data X band Operational data COSMO-SKYMED ENVISAT RADARSAT-1 C band RADARSAT-2 RISAT ALOS L band 2005 2006 2009 2007 2008
Shell R&D study: data plan TerraSAR-X Stripmap Cosmo-Skymed ScanSAR HH ALOS ScanSAR HH ENVISAT AP mode 24 Oct 31 Oct 7 Nov 14 Nov 21 Nov 28 Nov Camden Bay Circumpolar Flaw Lead (CFL) Study area TerraSAR-X Stripmap Cosmo-Skymed ScanSAR HH ALOS ScanSAR HH 7 Nov 14 Nov 21 Nov 28 Nov ENVISAT AP mode 24 Oct 31 Oct 7 Nov 14 Nov 21 Nov 28 Nov
Study Outcome Provide a report in March 2008 in time for 2008 planning covering: Imaging benefits of the different sensors Operational strengths and weaknesses of the different sensors Acquisition plan strategies Include: X band vs C band vs L band Dual pol vs single pol Focus on freeze-up conditions including young ice
Conclusions We are now entering a new era for SAR remote sensing Much improved potential for ice monitoring But needs work to realise potential Shell is investigating what can be done for ice monitoring in time for the 2008 season Any changes to default plan will depend on cost and operational performance as well as technical capabilities of different sensors Interested to talk to others with interests in comparison of the different SAR sensors
Thank-you!