|
Same Results Obtained from Using the SICH-1
|
  |
The Ukrainian Earth observation satellite SICH-1 designed to provide operational remote sensing was launched by TSYKLON vehicle on August 31, 1995. This satellite is equipped with a wide range of various remote sensing payload instruments, i.e. radar, microwave radiometric and optical devices. The distinctive feature of the integrated SICH-1 system is that it serves the purpose of the prompt aquisition of data on the dynamic processes and phenomena occurring on the sea surface, in the ocean-atmosphere system under ice and land conditions. This can be achieved by using on-board radar and optical data processing and by relaying the ready-for-use information via the 137 MHz downlink in the APT standard immediately to users and autonomous receiving station and via the 466 MHz downlink to the stationary receiving station in Yevpatoria (Crimea). The simultaneous sensing aided by optical and radar instruments provide complex diagnosing of natural processes and phenomena; for instance, this can be done by using both the radar at a level of the sea surface (where the energy is transferred from wind to ocean) and the optical instruments in the atmosphere (where in the condensation of the moisture evaporated from the ocean surface a release of energy occurs).
The integrated SICH-1 system has more than once demonstrated its unique informative capabilities in terms of timely detection and monitoring of the active processes in the ocean-atmosphere (cyclones, storms, squalls including the most powerful tropical hurricanes, typhoons), of the ocean surface pollutions, manifestations of internal sea processes, ice reconnaissance and monitoring of snow melting dynamics, precipitations, exploration of geological structures, etc. Thus, the main advantage of the SLR (Side-Looking Radar) system is its absolute calibration ability which enables the underlying surface, specifically, the sea surface wind field (its velocity and direction) to be quantitatively measured, which, in turn, permits of assessing the hazards of atmospheric processes (especially high-power tropical cyclones), etc. Specific examples listed below are showing the potentials of using the SICH-1 data both for practical needs and research objectives . The data are being widely exploited by users and scientists in Ukraine and other countries, which could basically provide a convincing evidence of their practical utility.
|
Principal remote sensing systems SICH-1 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| System |
SLR |
RM-08 |
MSU-M |
MSU-S |
| Objects of Investigation |
sea surface, sea and ocean ice cover, land |
|||
| Method of Scanning |
electronic |
electronic |
mechanic |
mechanic |
| Wavelength |
3.1 cm, |
0.8 cm, |
0.5-0.6 mkm |
0.55-0.7 mkm |
| Resolution Element, km |
2.5 x 1.3 |
15.0 x 15.0 |
1.7 x 1.2 |
0.34 x 0.34 |
| Swath Width, km |
460 |
550 |
1880 |
1380 |
Examples of SICH-1 Side-Looking Radar data processing and utilisation:
- Atmospheric phenomena monitoring.
- World ocean investigation.
- Ice reconnaissance and navigation.
- Earth surface observation.
- Radar map of Ukraine and the areas at the neighbourhood.
© CRSE, April 1998