Sentinels for science: Potential of Sentinel-1, -2, and -3 missions for scientific observations of ocean, cryosphere, and land

The Sentinel-1, -2, and -3 satellite missions can meet various observational needs for spatially explicit physical, biogeophysical, and biological variables of the ocean, cryosphere, and land research activities. The currently known observational requirements were extracted from documents produced b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Remote sensing of environment 2012-05, Vol.120, p.91-101
Main Authors: Malenovský, Zbyněk, Rott, Helmut, Cihlar, Josef, Schaepman, Michael E., García-Santos, Glenda, Fernandes, Richard, Berger, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Assessments
Climate
Consolidation
Cryosphere
Cryospheres
ESA GMES space component
GMES Sentinel-1, -2, and -3 missions
Laboratorium voor Geo-informatiekunde en remote sensing
Laboratory of Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing
Land
Land variables
Marine
Missions
Ocean
Oceans
PE&RC
Workshops
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Summary:The Sentinel-1, -2, and -3 satellite missions can meet various observational needs for spatially explicit physical, biogeophysical, and biological variables of the ocean, cryosphere, and land research activities. The currently known observational requirements were extracted from documents produced by major international scientific projects and programs. The summarized observational needs were then cross-referenced with the capabilities of the planned sensors aboard of the first three Sentinels. A comparative analysis, also incorporating scientific challenges of the ESA Living Planet Programme and the Essential Climate Variables (ECVs), resulted in a preliminary scientific priority assessment of the reviewed environmental variables. Results of these activities, discussed and consolidated in March 2011 at the Sentinels for Science (SEN4SCI) scientific workshop, demonstrate the high potential of the Sentinel-1, -2, and -3 missions for systematic, long-term observations of the Earth system. ► GMES Sentinel-1, -2, and -3 were assessed for ocean, cryosphere, and land science. ► Analysis indicates high potential of the Sentinels to satisfy observational needs. ► The first Sentinel for Science (SEN4SCI) scientific workshop took place in May 2011. ► More than 180 scientists fully supported scientific exploitation of the Sentinels.
ISSN:0034-4257
1879-0704
DOI:10.1016/j.rse.2011.09.026