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Small Satellites for Disaster and Environmental Monitoring

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A special issue of Remote Sensing (ISSN 2072-4292). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Remote Sensing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 August 2023) | Viewed by 11505

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Masahiko Nagai

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Guest Editor

Center for Research and Application for Satellite Remote Sensing, Yamaguchi University, Ube City, Yamaguchi 755-8611, Japan
Interests: remote sensing; image processing; space technology; disaster application

Prof. Dr. Ariel C. Blanco

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

1. Department of Geodetic Engineering, College of Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
2. Philippine Space Agency (Space Information Infrastructure Bureau), Quezon City 1101, Philippines
Interests: remote sensing; environmental; agricultural; climate change; DRRM applications

Dr. Viktor Lagutov

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Guest Editor

Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, Central European University, Budapest, Hungary
Interests: environmental modeling; spatial analysis

Dr. Sarawut Ninsawat

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Guest Editor

Remote Sensing and GIS Program, School of Engineering and Technology, Asian Institute of Technology, Pathum Thani, Thailand
Interests: remote sensing; WebGIS; OGC web services and specifications; SensorWeb

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Small satellites are dramatically improving the applicability of remote sensing by offering new observation opportunities. Currently, small satellites are offering satellite imagery from not only national space agencies, but also for commercial and other private ventures, including developing countries. The innovative technical approaches and new possibilities with constellations of small satellites have been developed for disaster and environmental monitoring.

The aim of this Special Issue is to collects original papers and inherent studies of utilization of small satellite and small satellite constellations for different types of disaster (such as floods, landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, etc.) and environmental (such as forests, rivers, costal areas, agriculture land, etc.) monitoring. Among them, technical interventions and operational methodologies oriented to risk reduction strategies such as plans, protocols, working procedures, early warning systems, and any other innovations in the sector or elements that combine modern concepts with consolidated realities of the past should be included.

The topic ‘Small Satellites for Disaster and Environmental Monitoring’ is focused to explore the potential of these new and emerging small satellite applications for disaster and environmental monitoring. Potential topics might include:

Earth observation applications with operational small satellite;
New processing and analysis for small satellite data for disaster and environmental monitoring;
Calibration and validation method for small satellite;
Machine learning and deep learning for satellite constellation data;
Technology demonstrations of emerging small satellite constellations.

Prof. Dr. Masahiko Nagai
Prof. Dr. Ariel C. Blanco
Dr. Viktor Lagutov
Dr. Sarawut Ninsawat
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Remote Sensing is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

small satellites
micro satellites
satellite constellations
remote sensing
calibration
validation
remote sensing image analysis disaster monitoring
environmental monitoring
image processing
artificial intelligence
machine learning

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 67311 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Monitoring Mining-Induced Geo-Hazards in a Contaminated Mountainous Region of Indonesia Using Satellite Imagery

by Satomi Kimijima and Masahiko Nagai

Remote Sens. 2023, 15(13), 3436; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs15133436 - 7 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1052

Abstract

Mining-induced or enhanced geo-hazards (MGHs) pose significant risks in rural mountainous regions with underground mining operations by harming groundwater layers, water circulation systems, and mountain stability. MGHs occurring in naturally contaminated environments can severely amplify socio-environmental risks. A high correlation was found among undermining development, precipitation, and hazards; however, details of MGHs have yet to be adequately characterized. This study investigated multiple mining-induced/enhanced geo-hazards in a naturally contaminated mountain region in Bone Bolango Regency, Gorontalo Province, Indonesia, in 2020, where a rapidly developing coexisting mining sector was present. We utilized PlanetScope’s CubeSat constellations and Sentinel-1 dataset to assess the volume, distribution, pace, and pattern of MGHs. The findings reveal that severe landslides and floods accelerated the mobilization of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) via the river water system, thus considerably exacerbating socio-environmental risks. These results indicate potential dangers of enhanced PTE contamination for marine ecosystems and humans at a regional level. The study design and data used facilitated a comprehensive assessment of the MGHs and associated risks, providing important information for decision-makers and stakeholders. However, limitations in the methodology should be considered when interpreting the findings. The societal benefits of this study include informing policies and practices that aim to mitigate the negative impacts of mining activities on the environment and society at the local and regional levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small Satellites for Disaster and Environmental Monitoring)

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13 pages, 3905 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of Multi-Mission CubeSat Constellations with a Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm

by Shimeles Demissie Melaku and Hae-Dong Kim

Remote Sens. 2023, 15(6), 1572; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs15061572 - 13 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1858

Abstract

The increasing demand for low-cost space-borne Earth observation missions has led to small satellite constellation systems development. CubeSat platforms can provide a cost-effective multiple-mission space system using state-of-the-art technology. This paper presents a new approach to CubeSat constellation design for multiple missions using a multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA). The CubeSat constellation system is proposed to perform multi-missions that should satisfy global Earth observation and regional disaster monitoring missions. A computational approach using a class of MOGA named non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II is implemented to optimize the proposed system. Pareto optimal solutions are found that can minimize the number of satellites and the average revisit time (ART) for both regional and global coverage while maximizing the percentage coverage. As a result, the study validates the feasibility of implementing the CubeSat constellation design with an acceptable level of performance in terms of ART and percentage coverage. Moreover, the study demonstrates CubeSat’s ability to perform a multi-missions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small Satellites for Disaster and Environmental Monitoring)

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18 pages, 10418 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Distribution of Enhanced Potentially Toxic Element Contaminations Due to Natural and Coexisting Gold Mining Activities Using Planet Smallsat Constellations

by Satomi Kimijima, Masahiko Nagai and Masayuki Sakakibara

Remote Sens. 2023, 15(3), 861; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs15030861 - 3 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1454

Abstract

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) from natural and anthropogenic activities threaten the environment and human health. The associations of PTEs with natural hazards can be powerful and prominent mechanisms to release PTEs, considerably hastening their multiple contaminations and widespread distribution. This study primarily aimed to investigate the enhanced potential distribution of PTE contaminations (arsenic, lead, and mercury) from coexisting gold mining operations combined with massive riverbank erosion in Indonesia from 2002 to 2022, where soil and water are highly contaminated naturally, using PlanetScope smallsat constellations, Google Earth imagery, and hydrographic datasets. According to the findings, increased barren extents were found because of mining deposits and road network developments. Enhanced natural and anthropogenic PTE runoffs would be transported across two different sub-basins, affecting broader parts of the Bone River. Between 2002 and 2022, 139.3% of river expansion was identified, eroding a maximum of 3,436,139.4 m³ of contaminated soil. Particularly land surfaces were repeatedly transformed from rivers to agricultural lands in the low Bone River, possibly contaminated by fertilizer spills. The combination of PTE potentials from different sources would further exacerbate the contamination level at an estuary. These findings are expected to aid in the timely monitoring of and assuming volumes, rates, and distribution of PTEs from various natural and anthropogenic activities and alert PTE contamination risks to ecosystems and human health. Future work in this area should aim to investigate contamination levels at the estuary, where contaminated materials from both natural and anthropogenic activities are accumulated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small Satellites for Disaster and Environmental Monitoring)

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28 pages, 29380 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study of Autonomous Small Satellite Constellations for Disaster Management and Deep Space Strategy

by Mohammed Irfan Rashed and Hyochoong Bang

Remote Sens. 2022, 14(23), 6148; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs14236148 - 4 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1918

Abstract

The complex and dynamic space environment is both exciting and challenging in this NewSpace era. In particular, Low-Earth Orbits are being realigned and reinvented for various purposes using suitable technological advancement. This paper is focused on the major parameters that can be analyzed to attain orbit control and autonomy of small-satellite constellations for real-time applications. By applying industry experience to graduate research, this work addresses the related concerns in a realistic manner. Currently, global small-satellite constellation solutions are too expensive and inaccessible for many nations to help in their data reception requirements. This issue was addressed, and some of the main aspects relating to low-cost and high-benefit technical synthesis, in addition to utilization for deep-space missions, were also discussed in detail. In conclusion, this paper demonstrated a strategic approach to optimize the coverage and performance, and reduce the cost of small-satellite constellations, compared with present day constellations, allowing the data to be relayed faster and with precision. This will benefit the industry in the development of low-cost constellations, and effectively assist in disaster management and deep-space communication relays. Autonomous orbit selection and navigation can be established for better path alignment for satellites to efficiently propagate and deliver the required data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small Satellites for Disaster and Environmental Monitoring)

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26 pages, 9438 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Utilization of a Mirror Array Target for the Calibration and Harmonization of Micro-Satellite Imagery

by Dorj Ichikawa, Masahiko Nagai, Nopphawan Tamkuan, Vaibhav Katiyar, Tsuyoshi Eguchi and Yumiko Nagai

Remote Sens. 2022, 14(22), 5717; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs14225717 - 12 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1884

Abstract

The utilization of multi-sensor and constellation satellite data with appropriate geometric and radiometric calibration and validation is required for effective satellite data applications for various monitoring tasks. In this paper, we present the research and development of optical calibration sites using both natural surface and ground point-source-mirror reflectors constructed at The Center for Research and Application of Satellite Remote Sensing of Yamaguchi University (YUCARS), Japan. The YUCARS calibration sites experimented with GRUS-1A (Axelspace Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) and PlanetScope (Planet Lab, San Francisco, CA, USA) images for the verification of radiometric and geometric performance following the harmonized reflectance product. The top of atmosphere (TOA) radiance and reflectance of optical micro-satellite imageries were simulated by MODTRAN6 based on the in-situ data of the ground point-source-mirror reflector, ground surface and atmospheric measurements. The YUCARS mirror arrays were used to verify geometric accuracy and better band co-registration. The TOA reflectance derived from the ground measurements and acquired by satellite instruments were correlated to derive harmonization coefficients. The results show an improvement in image accuracy and harmonization of the different sensor data for the multi-temporal application. The preliminary results show that the mirror-arrays method can efficiently solve the limits of the external environment, time, and space. Furthermore, it can be used for improving radiometric performance and image quality using deblurring from a point spread function created from YUCARS mirror arrays. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small Satellites for Disaster and Environmental Monitoring)

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14 pages, 10691 KiB

Open AccessTechnical Note

Investigation of Cultural–Environmental Relationships for an Alternative Environmental Management Approach Using Planet Smallsat Constellations and Questionnaire Datasets

by Satomi Kimijima, Masahiko Nagai, Masayuki Sakakibara and Mohamad Jahja

Remote Sens. 2022, 14(17), 4249; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs14174249 - 28 Aug 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1363

Abstract

The values (i.e., importance) that humans place on ecosystems are critical for sustainable socioecological management. Recently, the value pluralism approach with instrumental, intrinsic, and relational values using multiple disciplines that integrate qualitative and quantitative methodologies has been encouraged. However, these values have received little attention in environmental management. This study explored the values placed on cultural practices among groups experiencing different land cover transformations (LCTs) under the rapid shrinkage of the Limboto Lake, Gorontalo Province, Indonesia, using questionnaires and time-series Landsat and PlanetScope smallsat constellations (SSCs). The time series of LCTs and questionnaire data were computed, visualized, and analyzed statistically using the chi-square test for comparing the two village groups. Results show SSCs enabled a detailed analysis due to high spatiotemporal resolutions in tropical regions. This observation would help in monitoring natural disasters (floods) caused by the decreased lake’s water storing capacity, agricultural damage, locality safety, and environmental protection in shorter cycles. Furthermore, we found that relational values originating from traditional beliefs and practices were the domain values in the land steady-type villages. Hence, integrating the cultural–environmental values of localities with prior spatiotemporal analysis into environmental management policy and implementation processes would be a high-potential alternative for environmental conservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small Satellites for Disaster and Environmental Monitoring)

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