SAR Missions

Question 1

Which methods of EO are quite complementary?

Answer 1

• SAR and Optical are complimentary means of info extraction
• Data fusion techniques and fused information produces is growing area of research
• Fusion gives structure and colour information

Question 2

How are SAR Missions defined?

Answer 2

• According to Frequency band and Polarization

- Single frequency, exception are shuttle missions

Question 3

Why do SAR’s only have one frequency?

Answer 3

• Multi-freq would require multiple antennas

- Antennas would be very a large (not practical) and interfere

Question 4

Sentinel-1 Data provision

Answer 4

• Free and open access

- European Space Agency (ESA)

Question 5

Applications

Answer 5

• Wind speed (but not direction)

- Oil spill detection

Question 6

Oil Spill Detection

Answer 6

• Simplest methods based on detection of zones where ocean surface waves are damped by viscous oil slick
• Wind-waves = high BS
• Oil slick = low BS

Question 7

Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill

Answer 7

• SAR useful for oil slick detection b/c smoke from fire doesn’t interfere with BS like w/ optical
• Gulf is also often cloudy, not an issue for SAR

Question 8

Oil Spill Detection Limitations

Answer 8

• Sheltered harbours and waters in wind shadows are also smooth
• Anthropogenic and biogenic oil slicks cannot be discriminated