International Collaboration in Support of Polar Science using

SARKenneth Jezek, Ohio State University

Waleed Abdalati, Goddard Space Flight Center

European Remote Sensing Satellites -1/2

• Program for International Polar Oceans Research(PIPOR)• ERS-1/2 coverage of the Arctic Ocean

for sea ice and polar ocean studies• Collaboration established by NASA

investment in ASF, conceived to extend the reach of ERS coverage to the north pole.

• Later extended to include coverage over Southern ocean via McMurdo Ground Station

• Tandem mission provided interferometry data for ice sheet velocity measurements.

Radarsat -1• NASA and the CSA conducted negotiations in the early 1980’s

for use of Radarsat-1• Negotiations provided access to science data (e.g. ADRO, Arctic

Snapshot), data to the Joint Ice Center and provision for two, complete mappings of Antarctica

• In exchange, NASA launched Radarsat-1

• Radarsat Geophysical Processor System: Arctic Snapshot obtained continuously since 1996.

• 3-day sampling of sea ice motion and deformation along with derived properties

Radarsat-1• 1997, first Antarctic Mapping Mission (map and InSAR)• 2000, modified InSAR mission to measure surface

velocity• 2004 InSAR

acquisitions to acquire data over scientifically interesting areas.

Project Lessons

• RAMP and RGPS showed that a formal agreement established early in a mission plan resulted in voluminous data acquisitions.

• RAMP and RGPS required extended and detailed interactions by the science community (PI) with the flight agencies to accomplish the goals.

• Role of commercial groups in the data path and unrestricted use of science data remains a discussion point.

• Working relationships between PIPOR, ESA and NASA resulted in 8 minutes of SAR data per day becoming 30-40 minutes per day. Mutual desire to use the satellite and the early limitation of direct downlink meant that NASA through ASF was well positioned to acquire vastly more data than were originally anticipated.

Strategic Lessons• NASA and the science community have devised strategies for

acquiring very large volumes of SAR data through international partners

• Successful arrangements required that NASA enter into negotiations with partner flight agencies early in the project

• Previous arrangements for access to the international constellation of satellites have proven scientifically valuable.

• Future opportunities could/should be investigated (Envisat, Radarsat-2, ALOS, TerraSAR). Options could include exchange of services in the past or direct purchase of data

• Science community must be intimately involved in all aspects of the planning and execution of large campaigns

• The role of the commercial sector is still being defined