TERRA (ASTER) satellite imagery

TERRA was launched by NASA on December 18, 1999 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The satellite is fitted with space-based remote sensing apparatus ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer). ASTER is a result of joint project of NASA, Ministry of Economy of Japan, Commerce and Industry of Japan (METI) and Japanese Earth Remote Sensing Data Analysis Center (ERSDAC).

The satellite was set into sun-synchronous polar orbit at the height of 705 km. ASTER includes three sub-systems: VNIR (visible band and near-IR) which allows acquiring data with resolution of up to 15 m, SWIR (shortwave IR band) with spatial resolution of 30 m and TIR (thermal IR band) with spatial resolution of 90 m. The main advantage is wide spectral band and stereo surveying. Orbit life time – 6-7 years.

TERRA (ASTER) satellite imagery applications

• Creation and refreshing of topographical maps and special plans up to 1:100 000 scale.
• DEM creation up to 15-20 meters height accuracy.
• Topographical background refreshing for the generation of metropolitan and constituent entities of the Federation region planning layouts.
• Survey and feasibility for potential prospecting works sites of oil and gas, forecasting and determining of oil and gas traps, estimation of petroleum potential.
• Survey and feasibility for potential prospecting works sites of non-metallic and ore minerals.
• Forest inventory. Forest use control and its state monitoring.
• Regional crop mapping, its condition assessment, yields forecasting.
• Workflow mapping of vegetation, landscapes and land use.
• Monitoring and forecasting of such impacts as: bogginess and desertification, salinification, karsts, erosion, forest and grass fires, flooding, etc.