Nanosatellite, AlbertaSat-1, Thermal IR Sensor Calibration/Validation Experiments and Campaigns using UAV and Piloted Aircrafts over Varying Landscapes
- Paper number
IAC-11,B1,3,12,x11824
- Author
Mr. Benjamin Lange, University of Alberta, Canada
- Coauthor
Mr. Jared Bottoms, University of Alberta, Canada
- Coauthor
Mr. Scott Williamson, University of Alberta, Canada
- Coauthor
Mr. Andrew Steadman, University of Alberta, Canada
- Coauthor
Mr. Oscar Ramirez, University of Alberta, Canada
- Year
2011
- Abstract
The AlbertaSat-1 team, at the University of Alberta, is designing, building and launching an Earth Observation Nanosatellite as part of the Canadian Satellite Design Challenge (CSDC). The AlbertaSat-1 team is comprised of an interdisciplinary group of undergraduate and graduate students. The goal of the sensor/payload subsystem will be to develop a state of the art innovative thermal infrared imaging system in collaboration with the nanofabrication group at the University of Alberta. The entire nanosatellite will be <4kg and the sensor will be ~1kg. The small size and novel nature of the sensor requires rigorous calibration/validation campaigns to ensure accurate and optimal operation in space. The validation experiment, proposed for summer 2011, will be discussed in conjunction with results, issues, solutions and proposed future campaigns (pre & post launch). AVEX campaigns will enable our group to develop image processing, acquisition and data communication algorithms necessary for accurate functionality. The proposed Albertasat-1 Validation Experiment (summer) 2011 (AVEX 2011) will include the deployment of the thermal IR sensor onboard an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) over a diverse set of surface types including: agriculture crops, water, soil, trees and residential areas. The UAV is the product of the University of Alberta Aerial Robotics Group (UAARG), another student vehicle project competition team. Sensor testing onboard the versatile unmanned system provides a unique and excellent collaboration opportunity for both projects. In addition to the UAV surveys, we will conduct aerial surveys on board small fixed wing aircrafts in order to acquire varying spatial resolutions over a diverse set of landscapes. This will enable upscaling of the sensor data for more accurate validation and calibration of the instrument. The AVEX campaigns will be conducted in collaboration with other research groups at the University of Alberta in order to gain access to research study sites and additional remotely sensed data for comparison and ground truthings. The AVEX data will be available on the AlbertaSat-1 website for public access and serve to be a valuable dataset for all interested scientists and research groups.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)