Novel Microwave Remote Sensing Techniques Using Small Satellite Constellations

Abstract

In this report, the well-established Backus-Gilbert resolution enhancement algorithm for passive microwave sensors is applied to a novel distributed spacecraft geometry. While this geometry allows for significantly higher sampling densities and redundancy, the small spacecraft platform comes with more pronounced errors. The results show that resolution enhancement is possible using a distributed geometry even in the presence of worst case errors typical of current small spacecraft components. Experience from this work is then applied to an upcoming 6.1 New Start which focuses on fusion of small satellite data, specifically GNSS reflectometry from NASAs Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) constellation. The bulk of efforts were focused on creating a processing pipeline to download CYGNSS data via NASA's PO.DAAC system and process CYGNSS Bistatic Normalized Radar Cross Section (BNRCS) using a incidence angle correction for land/vegetation measurements.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 08, 2022
Accession Number
AD1159274

Entities

People

  • Tanish Himani

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Data Fusion
  • Data Processing
  • Data Sets
  • Engineering
  • Geometry
  • Global Navigation Satellite Systems
  • Information Processing
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Measurement
  • Navigation
  • Navigation Satellites
  • Remote Sensing
  • Satellite Buses
  • Satellite Constellations
  • Small Satellites
  • Spacecraft

Readers

  • Applied Combinatorial Optimization and Logic Circuit Design.
  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Electromagnetic Wave Scattering and Antenna Radiation Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites