NASA-ESA Cooperation for Earth Observation: the SBG and CHIME Hyperspectral Missions

Paper number

IAC-22,B1,1,2,x73013

Author

Dr. Valentina Boccia, Italy, ESA - European Space Agency

Coauthor

Dr. Marco Celesti, The Netherlands

Coauthor

Mr. Antonio Gabriele, The Netherlands, ESA - European Space Agency

Coauthor

Dr. Ferran Gascon, Italy, ESA - European Space Agency

Coauthor

Dr. Robert Green, United States, Jet Propulsion Laboratory - California Institute of Technology

Coauthor

Mrs. Claudia Isola, The Netherlands, ESA - European Space Agency

Coauthor

Dr. Charles Miller, United States, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Coauthor

Dr. Jens Nieke, The Netherlands, ESA - European Space Agency

Coauthor

Dr. Benjamin Poulter, United States, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Goddard Space Flight Center

Coauthor

Dr. David S. Schimel, United States, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Coauthor

Dr. Kurtis J. Thome, United States, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Goddard Space Flight Center

Coauthor

Dr. Philip A. Townsend, United States, University of Wisconsin

Coauthor

Dr. Michael Rast, Italy, ESA - European Space Agency

Coauthor

Dr. Jennifer Adams, Italy, Rhea for ESA

Year

2022

Abstract

The NASA-ESA cooperation on imaging spectroscopy space missions is part of the NASA-ESA Joint Programme Planning Group (JPPG) activities and seen as a priority for collaboration, specifically given the complementarity of mission objectives and measurement targets of the SBG and CHIME. 
Imaging spectroscopy has been identified by NASA, ESA, and other international space agencies as key to addressing a number of most important scientific and environmental management objectives. To achieve the objectives outlined by the NASA’s Decadal Survey in ecosystem science, hydrology and geology, and to implement the critical EU- and related policies for the management of natural resources, assets and benefits, high fidelity imaging spectroscopy data with global coverage and high spatial resolution are required. In order to answer to this shared international need, the ESA’s CHIME (Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission for the Environment) and NASA’s SBG (Surface Biology and Geology) satellite missions aim to provide imaging spectroscopy data at global coverage at regular intervals of time with high spatial resolution for visible to shortwave infrared (VSWIR) reflectances.
The multi-mission and multi-Agency synergetic and cooperative approach currently in place for the development of SBG and CHIME ensures more global coverage spectroscopic observing systems with more rapid revisit time than any one agency’s observing system can provide by itself. Therefore, the NASA and ESA teams have joined forces to address the logistical, algorithmic and calibration issues raised by harmonizing data across the two measurement programs, with the goal of providing research and applications communities with seamless high-level data products, effectively reducing the interval of time between usable observations significantly. An additional challenge comes from the volume and complexity of global, high spatial resolution, quasi-weekly data, and both teams are addressing the data science challenges of processing and merging heterogenous data at unprecedented scale.
In this context, three Working Groups have been set up to outline the key areas of cooperation between the SBG and CHIME missions, and establish a roadmap for the implementation of cooperation: Data Products and Algorithms, Calibration/Validation, and End-to-End Modelling and Simulation. 
This contribution will present the aims and objectives of the NASA-ESA SBG-CHIME cooperation, and how it may benefit and enhance addressing CHIME and SBG’s key scientific and environmental management objectives. The key areas of collaboration identified by each of the joint Working Groups, as well as the established roadmaps will be presented.

Abstract document

IAC-22,B1,1,2,x73013.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-22,B1,1,2,x73013.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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