Image acquisition planning for the CHRIS sensor onboard PROBA

摘要

The CHRIS (Compact High Resolution Imaging Spectrometer) instrument was launched onboard the European Space Agency (ESA) PROBA satellite on 22 October 2001. CHRIS can acquire up to 63 bands of hyperspectral data at a ground spatial resolution of 36m. Alternatively, the instrument can be configured to acquire 18 bands of data with a spatial resolution of 17m. PROBA, by virtue of its agile pointing capability, enables CHRIS to acquire five different angle images of the selected site. Two sites can be acquired every 24 hours. The hyperspectral and multi-angle capability of CHRIS makes it an important resource for studying BRDF phenomena of vegetation. Other applications include coastal and inland waters, wild fires, education and public relations. An effective data acquisition planning procedure has been implemented and since mid-2002 users have been receiving data for analysis. A cloud prediction routine has been adopted that maximises the image acquisition capacity of CHRIS-PROBA. Image acquisition planning is carried out by RSAC Ltd on behalf of ESA and in co-operation with Sira Technology Ltd and Redu, the ESA ground station in Belgium, responsible for CHRIS-PROBA.