remote sensing

EUROMAR-SEASTARS a Modular Multi-Sensor System for Airborne Remote Sensing of the Sea; 6-1991

* MBB — Deutsche Aerospace, P.O.Box 801169, 8000 Muenchen 80, Germany
** Universitaet Oldenburg, Fachbereich Physik, P.O.Box 2603, 2900 Oldenburg, Germany;

Airborne remote sensing systems have proved to be very useful for monitoring coastal regions, rapid assessment in response to environmental disasters and demonstration of new sensor concepts. In a joint effort involving Universities and industrial companies from Germany, Italy and other nations, the airborne remote sensing system EUROMAR—SEASTARS is currently being developed under the EUREKA programme, Italy being responsible for the requirements of the Mediterranean Sea and Germany for the North and Baltic Seas. The sensor package considered comprises active and passive, optical and microwave, imaging and profiling instruments. This set of instruments is designed to be modular and therefore an optimal subset can be chosen depending on the scientific task of the mission. All instruments are connected through a common bus and real—time images or data displays show the state of the surrounding sea. Sensor and housekeeping data, recorded on—board on standardized storage media, will be distributed among interested users.

Keywords: Remote sensing, environmental monitoring, EUREKA, EUROMAR INTRODUCTION

Remote sensing of the oceans is usually seen in a global context and permanent monitoring of the sea surface is desired. However, the observation and analysis of the coastal zones is important, as they are in some cases the receiver and in other cases the origin of natural and manmade pollution. Rivers carry tons of poisonous chemical waste and biological substances into coastal waters. Oil spills are generated through ships and oil derricks. It is therefore important to monitor the sea surface on a regular basis in order to detect intentional pollution and prosecute criminal behavior. Observation of natural disasters like extensive growth of algae may help to limit the losses of fishing industry and tourism through an early warning. Coastal zones are therefore important regions for oceanographic remote sensing. From a scientific point of view they represent an ambitious field for research.

Compared to the open oceans, hydrological and biological features appear on a much Continuous monitoring of oceanographic phenomena on a global scale requires use of spaceborne sensor systems. For monitoring particular coastal regions, rapid assessment in response to environmental disasters as well as for demonstrating new sensor concepts and for supporting the scientific community by providing experiment platforms, airborne remote sensing systems have proved to be extremely useful. In addition to their rapid deployment capability, airborne platforms (both 2 engined aircraft and helicopters) have the advantage that they can operate in most weather conditions (including cloud cover) and that the sensor complement can be adapted to suit the immediate requirements.

In the EUROMAR—SEASTARS project an airborne remote sensing system is considered which comprises active and passive, optical and microwave, imaging and profiling instruments. The project is divided into two phases, the definition phase which is currently being finished and the implementation phase which is hoped to start later this year. In a joint effort involving Universities and industrial companies from Germany, Italy and other nations a modular sensor package has been designed where Italy is responsible for the requirements of the Mediterranean Sea and Germany for the North Sea and Baltic Sea.