Member Report on behalf of Australia by CSIRO
Graham Harris1 & David L B Jupp2
1 Chief, CSIRO Land & Water
2 Head, CSIRO Office of Space Science & Applications
Introduction
The last year has been very active in Australia and in international collaboration on a number of fronts in Earth Observation, Space Science, Space Policy and the Space Industry. The following lists some of the highlights.
CEOS Representation and Working Groups
Dr Graham Harris, Chief of CSIRO Land & Water continues as the CEOS Plenary delegate for Australia and Dr David Jupp, Head of COSSA, the Contact. CSIRO scientists continue to play an active role in the Working Groups with Dr Ian Barton being the primary interface with WGCV and Mike Clarke with WGISS. Active participation in subgroups by a number of scientists has been fully supported by CSIRO. CSIRO is a host to CEOS developed CILS, IDN and the JRC World Wide Fire Web that is an associated GOFC activity.
(Australian scientist’s CEOS WG reports can be found here)
CSIRO will host the tenth CEOS WGISS meeting at CSIRO headquarters in Canberra 8 – 12 May 2000. On the 8th and 9th May there will be a supporting workshop that will focus on regional and global activities in Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) programs, their relationship to CEOS and earth observation data activities. The regular WGISS meeting will be held from the 10th – 12thMay.
There is considerable involvement by Australian scientists from many agencies in existing and proposed IGOS proposals through the Partners and other forums (such as IOCCG). The efforts by CEOS to define the satellite remote sensing needs for these activities is regarded as very important by Australian groups. The "Themes" based approach to the IGOS development is also highly satisfying to Australian Agencies and industry groups due to the applications oriented focus of much of Australia’s activities in Earth Observation and associated Space Science. Australian scientists are active in current phases of GODAE, Upper Air Project, Ocean Biology and GOFC and in the recently proposed IGOS-P activity.
Flight and Ground Segment Activities
ARIES (2000)
http://www.eoc.csiro.au/aries/
The Australian ARIES initiative to launch a hyperspectral resources imager is continuing to develop. Discussions aimed at finalising financing are taking place. There is strong international interest in ARIES and plans in Australia to maximise its use in Government activities in the future.
Fedsat (November 2000)
The Australian research microsatellite Fedsat, is on-track for launch on NASDA's H-IIA Rocket with ADEOS-II and the Japanese microsatellites WEOS and Microlabsat. The launch is tentatively scheduled for November 2000, from Tanegashima Space Center. FedSat is to carry a GPS payload supplied by NASA, and this will be used to profile the Earth's upper atmosphere as well as for precise orbit determination. The mission will also carry a magnetometer; a high-performance computing experiment; a Ka and UHF communication payload, and a public interest payload containing messages from the public, in commemoration of the Australian Centenary of Federation. The UHF component of the communication payload will be used to relay in situ environmental data from remote locations. The platform and payloads are currently under construction and payload integration will commence in Canberra next February. Fedsat is a project of the Cooperative Research Centre for Satellite Systems (CRCSS) and will be controlled from facilities located at the University of South Australia (a member of the CRCSS) in Adelaide.
AATSR (on ENVISAT with BNSC)
Australia has been a significant partner in the underwriting (Australian Government), engineering design and components construction (Auspace, ATRS-2 and AATSR focal plane arrays) (http://www.auspace.com.au/aatsr.htm ) as well as scientific research (CSIRO) on the data from the ATSR-1,2 on ERS-1,2. The most recent sensor of the series, AATSR is ready for deployment as part of the ENVISAT payload. Bae Australia (http://www.baea.com.au) manufactured and qualified the flight Instrument Electronics Unit and the Signal Pre-Amplifiers for the AATSR instrument. ATSR-1,2 data are being used with considerable success in the Australian region.
X-Band Network (SPOT, Landsat 5&7, Radarsat, ERS, MODIS, AIRS, AMSU etc)
Australia has a well established, high quality X-Band network with two fully operational and automated stations at Hobart (TERSS) and Alice Springs (run by ACRES). Landsat, Spot, Radarsat and other data are routinely collected and quick looks made available through the web in very short time (within 4 hours of overpass). The network is in the process of expanding with negotiations for a site in Perth well advanced and a possible site in Darwin being discussed. Australia is discussing X-Band and DB reception services and options with a number of countries.
These environmental satellite data are being widely used in Australia for national and local mapping and environmental monitoring. The Land Monitor (http://www.cmis.csiro.au/rsm ) is monitoring salinity and land cover change. The Queensland Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) (http://www.dnr.qld.gov.au/resourcenet/veg/slats/ ) system and the national Australian Land Cover Change (ALCC) activities (http://www.brs.gov.au/land&water/landcov/alcc_results.html ) are examples where these data streams are providing information for national environmental and greenhouse accounting.
NOAA Stations
Australia has a wide range of NOAA stations. The Bureau of Meteorology network is highly standardised in hardware and software. Data are routinely used for many purposes from weather reporting to Crop forecasting. Standardised software is being established to ensure consistent and standard applications products can flow from all sites. The Bureau of Meteorology routinely collects and uses GMS data, China’s Fengyun, Meteosat, GOES and ERS data in addition to NOAA data for integration with its weather and climate services. The Bureau of Meteorology is active in GCOS and TRMM. NOAA data are routinely used as well by environmental agencies.
SeaWiFS reception
Australia has three fully operational SeaWiFS sites collecting data covering much of the coastal and ocean areas adjacent to Australia. The sites are at Perth, Townsville & Hobart. Australian scientists are involved in international efforts to maximise the value of these data in coastal waters as well as for fisheries management and resource use.
Archiving, Warehousing & Data Nodes
Earth Observation data are collected, archived and made accessible through many different paths and varieties of networks. Moves to standardise and increase access include international cooperation such as involvement with the CEOS WGISS, CILS, IMS, INFEO and IDN as well as national activities related to spatial data in general. Australia has an Australian Spatial Data Infrastructure (ASDI) (http://www.auslig.gov.au/asdi/index.htm ) initiative. The Australian Spatial Data Directory (ASDD) (http://www.auslig.gov.au/asdi/fasdd.htm ) provides search access to a range of earth observation and spatial data across federal and state jurisdictions. Activities funded at federal and state level (eg http://www.auslig.gov.au/asdi/fpp.htm , and http://www.qsiis.qld.gov.au/home/home.html ) are supporting development of access to data and services in distributed environments. There is active participation in international standards bodies through working with groups such as Australian web Mapping Consortium, (http://www.auslig.gov.au/asdi/fnew.htm), Open GIS Corporation and CEOS WGISS. This is providing a primary base for developing better access to spatial information, including earth observation data, access to the data and web based e_commerce. Australia is a contributor to other developing global data collection and analysis products such as the World Wide Fire Web (WFW) (http://www.mtv.sai.jrc.it/projects/fire/home.html ). CSIRO EOC in Canberra, in addition to being a node for the WFW is a collaborator in the USGS Global 1 km Data Project (http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/landdaac/1KM/1kmhomepage.html ), collecting NOAA data from up to seven stations for archiving and stitching into a regional base data set.
(The WFW is an integral part to the developments that are evolving from the CEOS IGOS promoted GOFC development and Pilot Project and proposed Carbon Cycle Theme).
Collaboration in International Space Missions and Mission Cal/Val
Australian scientists continue to participate in the science, applications and development programs of a number of space agencies through successful responses to announcements of opportunity and direct collaboration through joint research programs. These activities include participation in NASA, ESA and NASDA science and instrument teams.
In particular, Australian scientists are involved as Principal Investigators in missions including EO-1 Hyperion, MODIS, ASTER, MERIS, POLDER and OCTS. Proposals to participate in GLI and NEMO have been developed. These have involved significant contributions and international agreements. Australia has an extensive range of land and ocean sites where extensive data collections are being developed for Cal/Val and applications studies. The base Cal/Val sites have in many cases been utilised and communicated through CEOS WGCV activities. Cal/Val sites are maintained over both land and water surfaces and continue to enhance data quality for infrared, visible and microwave sensors.
ACRES and CSIRO are also discussing the opportunity for being an NASDA/ALOS international data node with associated science plan and regional distribution.
Space Launch and Space Industry Activity
Australia has a well developed industry in space-related engineering. There is also a lot of recent activity in Australia, and involving Australian groups, in satellite launch for a range of purposes but some of which will lead to earth observations.
Optus C1
The Optus-C1 satellite is under contract by C&W Optus with Mitsubishi (Japan). The Australian Department of Defence has a payload and it will provide advanced communications following its launch in 2002. This will significantly enhance communications in the region as well as other satellite based activities.
ASRI
ASRI (the Australian Space Research Institute) are carrying out and promoting a range of very small to medium sized launch vehicle and payload tests aimed at education and research. These include involvement with:
AUSROC (Australia Rocket, based on student project activity);
JAESAT (Joint Australian Engineered Satellite) is being developed at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). QUT is a member of the CRCSS;
HYSHOT is being developed by University of Queensland and international partners for proposed launch in 2000 (http://www.mech.uq.edu.au/hyper/ );
SSRP (Small Sounding Rocket Program) aimed primarily at the education sector is active in many launches from the Australian Woomera Rocket Range.
Launch Sites & Launch Activities
There are also a range of planned Launch sites and launch activities in Australia being investigated and under active development. Groups include:
Extra information about Spacelift Australia can be found at http://www.spacelift.com.au .
The Woomera site has had recent activity in which BAe Australia provided support to NASDA Nissan for impact testing of H-IIA Solid Rocket Booster propellant during trials in late 1997 and late 1998. The Woomera trials provided essential data in support of H-IIA safety planning at the Tanegashima Space Center.
Space Activities Act
Along with this growing activity, the Australian Government has moved to develop an Australian Space Activities Act, 1998. The Act provides a framework for the operation of commercial space in Australia and their licensing. Regulations have been drafted. They include the development of detailed procedures for granting Space Licenses and Launch Permits. In particular, the regulations are being applied to the licensing of the Kistler K-1 launch vehicle. Licensing applies to Australian launch activities both in Australia and overseas and is overseen by the Space Licensing and Safety Office (SLASO).
Other Activities
Cooperative Research Centre for Satellite Systems
The Centre was established in 1998 and aims to deliver sustainable advantage for Australian industries, universities and government agencies involved in services based on applications of small satellites. It comprises six universities, two government agencies and five private companies, and it conducts research, education and training: over forty PhD and Master students are currently enrolled. The Centre is carrying out the FedSat mission, Australia's first scientific satellite in over thirty years.
Hyperspectral Scanning
Australian industry has produced an advanced hyperspectral instrument called HYMAP which is being used for resource mapping and also calibration and validation for planned satellite missions. Hyperspectral research in Australia has benefited significantly from this development.
Australian Earth Observation in the future
The coming years will see many significant impacts of changes taking place nationally and internationally in space applications and earth observation. Earth Observation has certainly moved towards an applications and end-use focus. This is evidenced in the IGOS Themes approach. In addition, there are many platforms now available or becoming available to carry well specified instruments and well focussed missions. Climate prediction and monitoring, Greenhouse inventory and monitoring, ocean observing systems and land applications to fire, flood and extreme events provide examples of the outcome areas for these missions. The question is how to best use the advanced technology to map and monitor earth resources and make its information a key aspect of government and commercial decisions?
With this focus in the future the operating environment anticipated in Australia will have:
In recently planning discussions carried out in CSIRO, some highlight areas in research and development of space based science and earth observation were listed as:
Australian scientists, government and industry are active in promoting this future and see the important international activities of CEOS, its working groups and the IGOS development as key to achieving it.
CSIRO Delegates
November 1999
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