Bringing high-res SAR Earth Observation imagery to the UKFor the first time, UK researchers will have direct access to all-weather satellite imagery from the COSMO-SkyMed constellation. Terri Freemantle reports

The Satellite Applications Catapult is leading the COSMO-SkyMed Radar Science and Innovation Research (CORSAIR) programme for the UK. The move will facilitate access to data obtained from COSMO-SkyMed for research and development (R&D) activities.

The CORSAIR programme follows the contract awarded to the Catapult and Telespazio VEGA UK to install a ground system to order, receive and process high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data from the Italian COSMO-SkyMed (Constellation of Small Satel-lites for Mediterranean basin Observation) mission. A bilateral agree-ment between the UK Space Agency and Italian Space Agency (ASI), will, for the first time, allow, COSMO-SkyMed data to be delivered directly to the UK for processing.

Real-time applicationsThe COSMO-SkyMed system is a constellation of four identical X-band SAR satellites owned by the ASI and the Italian Ministry of Defence, and operated commercially by e-GEOS, an ASI/Telespazio company. Its data is used on a global basis for near real-time applica-tions such as extreme weather impact assessment, environmental crisis management, and security monitoring both on and offshore. The four-satellite constellation with its high revisit frequency and rapid response time is ideal for Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) applications, such as monitoring ground displacement

Terri Freemantle is Earth Observation Specialist with the Satellite Applications Catapult Ltd in Harwell, Oxfordshire

The three acquisition modes of COSMO-SkyMed sensor (right) and their characteristics (above). Images: ASI and e-geos

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resulting from volcanoes and earthquakes.The CORSAIR programme is open to any UK research and develop-

ment activities looking to develop proof of concepts, demonstrators, prototypes or trials for scientific research, products or applications.

Benefits for UK R&DStuart Martin, CEO of the Satellite Applications Catapult, said: “The COSMO-SkyMed constellation is equipped with SAR instruments, capable of operating in all visibility conditions at high-resolution. Its

ability to see through cloud and at night enables researchers to accumulate data over a wide area in a very short time. A key benefit of this programme is that it gives the UK research community ac-cess to data with which to develop new applications or services for commercial

applications, as well as for scientific research.”Applications for the CORSAIR programme can be submitted at

any time through the Catapult website (http://www.sa.catapult.org.uk/CORSAIR) which also contains more information. Applica-tions will be peer-reviewed at three monthly intervals by an external evaluation team.

CSK Himage (3m) Multi-temporal RGB composite over Wallingford, UK. 2013: R: May 15th G: Aug 19th B: Nov 23rd COSMO-SkyMed Product – © ASI 2013. All rights reserved. Distributed by e-GEOS, processed under licence from ASI by Telespazio VEGA UK Ltd.

Project Proposals While project proposals can be submitted at any time, the initial review dates are as follows:Period 1: 1 November 2015 Period 2: 1 February 2016 Period 3: 1 May 2016 Period 4: 1 August 2016 Further dates will be communicated after June 2016.

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