ENVISAT satellite imagery

ESA European Space Agency launched ENVISAT on March 1, 2002 within the framework of further development of the Earth surface research program started with ERS satellites. ENVISAT was set into sun-synchronous orbit with an average altitude of 790 km, 98.55 deg inclination and 35-day revisiting cycle providing global coverage within 1 – 3 days.

ENVISAT meets various purposes using 9 remote sensing devices including optical scanners, UV and IR spectrometers, radar altimeter and etc. However taking into account ultralow spatial resolution of the instruments, users are mostly interested in advanced synthetic aperture side-viewing radar ASAR, imaging the Earth in the C-band, 5.6 wavelength, modified radiation polarization VV, 15 - 45° angular range. Estimated lifetime in orbit is 4 years. The satellite is being successfully operated at the moment.

ENVISAT satellite imagery applications

• DEM and DSM high resolution creation (up to 5-10 meters height accuracy)
• Observing natural hazards (floods, ice movements, etc.) regardless of weather and time.
• Wave-generating forces survey, wind speed and direction definition.
• Coast land survey, vessel inspecting, detecting and tracing oil spills.
• Estimation of seismic hazard, earthquake forecasting, investing and analyzing earth movements by centimeters using interferometer methods.
• Forestry and agriculture monitoring: mapping, crop condition, use control, illegal logging assessment, etc.
• Ice and snow assessment both at the see and on land.
• Creation and refreshing of topographical maps and special plans up to 1:200 000 scale