Our share of the NovaSAR-1 satellite will support research and environmental management, and create new opportunities in remote sensing.
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CSIRO has well-recognised expertise and capabilities in using satellite-derived data to monitor and manage our environment including expertise in the acquisition, storage, processing and analysis of these rapidly growing data sets.
To date, our Earth observation-related activities have relied heavily on Earth observation data provided by foreign satellites. CSIRO recently purchased a 10 per cent share of time on a new satellite called NovaSAR-1 and providing Australia with direct access to one of the world’s most sophisticated satellites.
NovaSAR-1 – A new era in observing Earth from above
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[Image changes to show Dr Amy Parker talking to the camera, and text appears: Dr Amy Parker, Director, CSIRO Centre for Earth Observation]
Dr Amy Parker: Australia is one of the largest users of Earth observation data but historically we’ve relied on data provided by foreign satellites.
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[Images move through of the NovaSAR-1 orbiting the Earth in a facing view, and then the image changes to show a side view of the satellite orbiting the Earth]
Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has secured a 10% share of time on the Earth observation satellite NovaSAR-1 giving Australian scientists direct tasking control and allowing us to decide when and where data is collected over our region.
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The NovaSAR-1 satellite uses an advanced form of radar technology known as ‘Synthetic Aperture Radar’, or SAR.
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Rather than relying on sunlight, this means the satellite can take images of Earth at night and through all weather conditions, including heavy cloud and smoke.
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Being able to see through cloud is particularly useful in tropical regions or during rainfall events where heavy cloud cover blocks the view of optical satellites.
[Image changes to show a blue screen with the NovaSAR-1 satellite in the background, and text appears: The SAR sensor]
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The SAR sensor on board NovaSAR is different to other satellites, operating at what is called S-band.
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This presents exciting new opportunities for science and research.
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The satellite’s imaging capabilities can be directly used by Australian scientists, who can apply for satellite imaging time, or access thousands of images already collected that are available for free via the online NovaSAR-1 Data Hub.
[Image changes to show a blue screen showing a view of an arid area in the background, and text appears: Managing Australian environments]
[Images move through of a view looking down on fires burning at night, a close view of fire burning on a mountain, a view looking down on the Earth’s surface, and a view of a flooded river]
NovaSAR-1 is an additional tool we can use to map, monitor and manage Australian environments, observing changes over time and allowing us to better assess the impacts of climate change.
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Through our access to NovaSAR-1, we are also building important capabilities for our future.
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We’re developing new skills in our science community and we’re learning how to operate and manage satellites, allowing us to better support future Australian space programs.
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NovaSAR-1 is also helping to support new local space industries.
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Satellite data from NovaSAR-1 is downloaded directly to Australia using a receiving station near Alice Springs that’s operated by the Centre for Appropriate Technology, Australia’s first and only Aboriginal owned and operated ground segment service provider.
[Image changes to show a blue screen and cords in a supercomputer can be seen in the background, and text appears: A valuable data advantage]
[Images move through to show the NovaSAR-1 orbiting the Earth, a ship in the docks, a tractor pulling a chaser bin next to a harvester through a crop, and views of a facility near a coastal city]
Through our share of NovaSAR-1, CSIRO is increasing access to and the use of SAR data for applications in Australian science, and providing a valuable data advantage to the many Australian industries that are now harnessing the estimated $2.5 billion in economic benefits flowing from the Earth observation sector.
[Image changes to show Amy talking to the camera, and then the image changes to show the NovaSAR-1 satellite orbiting the Earth]
NovaSAR-1 is an important step forward, securing and enhancing Australia’s Earth observation capability, both now, and well into the future.
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The NovaSAR-1 satellite, developed by Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) in the UK, utilises synthetic aperture radar (or SAR) which is an advanced form of radar technology providing extremely high-resolution images of Earth from space.
The key advantage of SAR technology is that it operates effectively in 'all-weather' conditions. This overcomes the main drawback of traditional optical imaging satellites as it can take images of Earth through clouds, smoke and even at night.
With Australian researchers now able to access this capability, we are able to map, monitor and manage Australian environments and inform disaster management practices during events such as bushfires, monitor oil spills and the impact of flooding and tropical storms.
The satellite was successfully launched on 17 September 2018 (AEST) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India by Antrix Corporation – the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation. It is now going through a commissioning period.
CSIRO's Centre for Earth Observation operates our share of NovaSAR-1 as a national research facility, providing Australian researchers the opportunity to task the satellite to acquire imagery in support of R&D projects, with time awarded on a merit basis.
The agreement, with a value of $10.45 million over seven years, allows CSIRO to direct the NovaSAR-1 satellite to collect whatever type of data imagery is required over Australia and the South East Asia region over an initial 4.5 year period, and also provides access to data collected elsewhere around the world. Under the terms of the agreement, CSIRO is licensed to use and share the data for our own research purposes, and those of our partners and collaborators.
Who will benefit from NovaSAR-1?
Having the right to direct the satellite will enable us to collect data more quickly to assess the impact of natural disasters in Australia and the Asia Pacific region. Studies show that rapid spatial mapping of disaster areas can save up to US$0.5M to US$1M per event.
Access to the volume of data specific to Australia will also provide the raw data required to develop and model disaster and risk scenarios, including use of the technology for bushfire fuel load management, flood management, impending volcanic cloud events, earthquake prediction, pollution and oil spill monitoring.
With this improved accuracy, we can focus on analysing changes in a wide range of applications including our land and agricultural practices; land subsidence; water cycle modelling; mapping waterways and coastal habitats; geological mapping; and deforestation. We'll also gain experience in direct 'shutter-control' of Earth-observing satellites.
Our new partnership with SSTL will expand collaboration opportunities across government and academia – in areas such as the environment, agriculture and defence – and boost Australia's civilian space science sector.
This project is also an important step along a growth pathway for Australia's space hardware and space data services sectors, and will help capture regional and international opportunities in the growing national and international 'space economy'.
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