Workshop onInterferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar

InSAR

NASA-NSF-USGS

Oxnard, CaliforniaOctober 20-22, 2004

OBJECTIVES (Organizing Committee)

To re-affirm a long-range scientific and technological vision for SAR and InSAR uses in the Earth Sciences, in particular within EarthScope.Previous studies/proposals (e.g LightSAR, ECHO-x)

EarthScope plan and NRC review thereof

SESWG report and NRC review thereof

IEOS Draft Strategic Plan.

OBJECTIVES (Organizing Committee)

To explore the diversity of disciplinary

applications of a science-driven civilian

SAR program:Identify “grand challenges” in each discipline.

Recognize synergies between applications

Highlight new scientific opportunities opened by SAR

imaging technology

OBJECTIVES (Organizing Committee)

To formulate strategies for a science-driven SAR observational program:Assess the role of existing and planned data sets;

Assess the needs for new data

Address the challenges posed by data access, management and dissemination issues

Describe usefulness and limitations of existing sensors

Articulate the needs for new sensors

Disciplinary “Breakout” Groups• Crustal Deformation

• Cryosphere

• Hydrology

• Land-cover

• Oceanography

• Planetary Science

• IT & Synthesis

• Education and Outreach

Disciplinary “breakout” Groups• Group Chairs and Co-chairs steer discussions,

and note arguments and conclusions• i) What are the “grand challenges” in each

area?

• ii) How can radar sensors help address them? • iii) Role for existing data, sensors, new sensors• iv) Role of new technological advances• V) Education and outreach opportunities

• What are compelling scientific reasons for a dedicated SAR/InSAR observational program

Workshop onInterferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar

InSAR

Oxnard, CaliforniaOctober 20-22, 2004

4 Steps to SAR Nirvana

1. Define science challenges

2. Assess utility/desirability of existing platforms & data sets

3. Begin with “baseline” technology – L-band InSAR

4. Identify augmentations/changes needed to reach science goals

Breakout GuidelinesScience Breakout #1:

Drivers/Questions/Challenges

• What are the truly important and challenging science questions for your discipline that benefit from access to SAR data?

• How does access to SAR/InSAR data enable progress in each of these?

Science Breakout #2 GuidelinesMatching Science Goals with Data

and Product Availability• Which science goals are addressable with

existing/planned systems? • access to existing data archive• cooperative use of existing satellites• plans for cooperative use of satellites nearing deployment

• Which science goals can only be satisfied with • new radar missions using baseline technology (e.g., ECHO)• added sensor capability (additional frequencies, polarizations)

• What is the benefit of improved infrastructure?• routine processing of derived products• real time capability

Summary Session Day 3: Identifying and Prioritizing Acquisition

Strategies/Needs – Report Outline• Use of existing systems and archives to meet

science needs• Negotiated data sharing arrangements for existing and future

data sets• International cooperative experiments using existing and

planned sensors (e.g., Antarctic missions)• Role of commercial SAR data providers

• New satellite systems to advance frontier• Major science goals• Capabilities and technologies required

• Recommendations for the US SAR program• Scope• Priorities

Disciplinary “Breakout” Groups• Crustal Deformation Main Room

• Cryosphere Pacifica

• Hydrology Embassy 1

• Land-cover Embassy 2

• Oceanography Harbor

• Planetary Science Coral

• IT & Synthesis The Bar

• Education and Outreach Costa