Canadian Space Agency IPY Planning

Canadian Space Agency IPY PlanningJean-Marc Chouinard

Canadian Space Agency

Space Task Group – IPY Sub-Committee on Observations Space Task Group – IPY Sub-Committee on Observations WMO – 17 – 19 January, 2007WMO – 17 – 19 January, 2007

Canadian Space Agency Assets• RADARSAT 1

– In operation since 1996 – confirmed continued operations until Sept 2008

– Demonstrated potential for routine polar observation (world-wide ice services, Arctic and Antarctic missions)

– Archive collected over both polar regions (>250,000 images over the Arctic)

Canadian Space Agency Assets RADARSAT 2

– Ensured data continuation + enhanced modes until 2012

– Canadian government data allocation available forInternational Science Projects

Canadian Space Agency Assets• RADARSAT C (constellation)

– 3 satellites – C-Band, dual-pol operations, quad-pol exp.,multiple swaths and resolution available

– Increased imaging frequency for polar regions – up to 4 time/day

– Increasing operational use– Improving system reliability

Canadian Space Agency Assets• SCISAT – SCISAT focuses its attention in the

stratosphere, where the ozone layer is located.

– The orbit tuned to maximize the capture of scientific data over the polar regions.

– Data will help to better understand ozone layer

CSA IPY Activities

1. Arctic Science Archive Processing project – ASAP

2. RADARSAT Polar Science Gateway3. Coordination through STG

1. ASAP• Objectives:

– Initiate the processing of RSAT 1 archive collected over the Arctic.

– Ensure accessibility for scientific activities • Direct contribution to IPY national and

International science programs• 10 years of relevant datasets based on

operational and background missions activities

RADARSAT 1 Background Missions

ASAP Legacy• Blanket coverage in Fine 1 of the Canadian polar

region and the Arctic Archipelago (collected during the CIM, 2000-2001)

• Max and Min ice extent Arctic snapshots from 2003 to …

• Thematically relevant dataset acquired over specific areas of interest (supersites) identified by the research communities

• Canadian Ice Service dataset acquired since 1996• Canadian Arctic land mass mosaics – summer and

winter 1998-99

Blanket coverage in Fine 1

2003 Arctic Basin Coverage

Arctic Basin area = 10ºC July IsothermCoverage completion: ~85.3%Start date: October 3, 2003End date: October 31, 2003

Arctic Basin area = 10ºC July IsothermCoverage completion: ~90.8%Start date: July 30, 2003End date: August 6, 2003

Summer Fall

2004 Arctic Basin Coverage

Arctic Basin area = 10ºC July IsothermCoverage completion: ~90.6%Start date: January 9, 2004End date: February 6, 2004

Winter Spring

Arctic Basin area = 10ºC July IsothermCoverage completion: ~77.8%Start date: April 19, 2004End date: April 25, 2004

2004 Arctic Basin Coverage

Arctic Basin area = 10ºC July IsothermCoverage completion: ~98.9%Start date: July 23, 2004End date: August 6, 2004

Summer Fall

Arctic Basin area = 10ºC July IsothermCoverage completion: ~85.0%Start date: October 4, 2004End date: October 11, 2004

2005 Arctic Basin Coverage

Arctic Basin area = 10ºC July IsothermCoverage completion: ~81.4%Start date: January 8, 2005End date: February 15, 2005

Winter Spring

Arctic Basin area = 10ºC July IsothermCoverage completion: ~76.5%Start date: April 14, 2005End date: May 3, 2005

Supersites

2. RADARSAT Polar Science Gateway

• Objectives • to create and disseminate a circumpolar Arctic data treasury of satellite-

based radar data and derived information products in support of science for climate change research and local needs of northern peoples and communities.

• Highlights• Making use of Radarsat archives and missions – RSAT-1,-2,-C• Anik F2 potential for telecommunications bandwidth• Serve urgent Canadian & international goals• In support of science and northern communities• With partners and levered resources• A lasting legacyImplementation depending on support from Canadian IPY

Federal Program

3. Coordination Through STG

• Support the objective of STG• Ensured CSA collaboration for:

– Acquisition and planning coordination– Data management (archiving, standard, inter-

operability, etc.)– Open data policy for science activities

Data Policy Challenges in Canada

• Distribution framework for Radarsat-1: Commercial

• Radarsat-2 owned and operated by MDA – use of Canadian Government Data Allocation

• Restricted to science use – NO operations supported

Way Forward• Consultation to guide strategic development of RSAT Polar

Science Gateway and optimal use of its resources • Consultation with end-users for a data plan • Coordination among the space agencies within the STG

framework • Coordination with other Information Network managers and

linkages • Seek additional partners (via IPY & other)• Liaison with Canada IPY (steering committees, possible further proposals)• Coordination & agreement