Cross-Calibration of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC)
- Paper number
IAC-08.B1.3.2
- Author
Dr. Stephen Mackin, DMC International Imaging Ltd., United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Paul Stephens, DMC International Imaging Ltd., United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. David Hodgson, DMC International Imaging Ltd., United Kingdom
- Year
2008
- Abstract
One of the major issues raised for the planned GEO Virtual Constellations and for future commercial constellations such as Rapideye, is the consistent calibration between constellation satellites. Use of absolute vicarious calibration or even on-board calibration devices, can lead to biases between satellite systems, whereby although the overall absolute calibration accuracy is within the stated uncertainty of the procedure used, there are still differences of several percent between satellites in the constellation. The DMC constellation can be used to provide images on a daily basis and is currently being used in precision farming applications. One of the requirements of this application is a very good relative band to band calibration which is consistent across all satellite systems, so any satellite can be used in support of the application without inducing biases within the output results. Therefore a new cross-calibration approach for the satellite constellation is being developed which reduces the need for extensive ground calibration exercises, reduces costs and more importantly provides a more consistent result. The approach is based around the use of a “Gold” standard satellite calibrated over a recognised calibration site (Railroad Valley, Nevada). This calibration is then transferred to the rest of the satellites in the constellation using simultaneous or near simultaneous observations over a stable site at high latitudes (DOME-C, Antarctica). Results of the absolute and relative calibration will be shown compared to the previous absolute calibration results, showing the consistency of the results tied to a well characterised “Gold” standard satellite system.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.B1.3.2.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.