CyCLOPS: A National Integrated GNSS/InSAR Strategic Research Infrastructure for Monitoring Geohazards and Forming the Next Generation Datum of the Republic of Cyprus

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to introduce CyCLOPS, a novel strategic research infrastructure unit, and present its current progress of implementation, and integration in the National geodetic, geophysical and geotechnical infrastructure of the government-controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus. CyCLOPS is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Republic of Cyprus through the Research and Innovation Foundation under the grant agreement RIF/INFRASTRUCTURES/1216/0050. CyCLOPS is developed via the collaboration of the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and supported by the Cyprus Geological Survey Department and the Department of Lands and Surveys. The main objective of CyCLOPS is to establish an integrated infrastructure for space-based monitoring of geohazards using the most prominent earth observation technologies (EO), such as GNSS and InSAR. Furthermore, the infrastructure will densify and form the backbone for the definition of the next generation national datum of the Republic of Cyprus. Eleven Tier-1/2 state-of-the-art GNSS CORS, precise weather stations, tiltmeters and specifically designed InSAR triangular trihedral corner reflectors will be deployed, in a collocated fashion, at selected locations throughout the government-controlled areas of Cyprus. The collocated configuration will be established and installed to be compliant with the most stringent CORS monumentation specifications, support all current GNSS constellations and SAR missions. Finally, one of CyCLOPS’ fundamental aims is to actively contribute to the on-going efforts and growing demand for more precise positioning services and high-quality modern reference frames, in conformity with the recommendations of the UN-GGIM (and its Subcommittee of Geodesy) to establish and enhance national geodetic infrastructures to support the sustainable management of geospatial information on the changing Earth.

Monitoring ground deformation of cultural heritage sites using SAR and geodetic techniques: the case study of Choirokoitia, Cyprus

“…The above methodology for monitoring geo-hazards will be further developed in the 'Cyprus Continuously Operating Natural Hazard Monitoring and Prevention System' (CyCLOPS) project, which will utilize novel space technologies along with state-of-the-art processing techniques to monitor the effects of geohazards, such as earthquakes and landslides, and assess their impact on the built environment, cultural heritage landmarks and geodetic infrastructure (Danezis et al, 2019). The novel multi-sensor, co-located configurations, which include permanent GNSS reference stations, weather stations, tiltmeters along specifically designed Corner Reflectors (CRs) will be established throughout Cyprus.…”

“…Past research has found that the use of TerraSAR-X InSAR data and Corner Reflectors achieves centimetre level accuracy (Balss et al, 2014). Consequently, it is expected that CyCLOPS will be able to provide an estimation of ground deformation at the centimetre to millimetre level accuracy (Danezis et al, 2019).…”

An Advanced Quality Assessment and Monitoring of ESA Sentinel-1 SAR Products via the CyCLOPS Infrastructure in the Southeastern Mediterranean Region

“…The MPN consists of (i) a permanent and (ii) a mobile segment deployed in areas of interest. The permanent segment, as illustrated in Figure 1, includes six permanent sites, each of which contains a Tier-1 GNSS continuous operating reference station (CORS) co-located with two calibration-grade triangular trihedral corner reflectors (CRs) of 1.5 m inner length to account for both the ascending and descending tracks of SAR satellite missions, such as the ESA's Sentinel-1 [1]. The existing CyCLOPS network of corner reflector arrays and its surrounding area periodically undergoes imaging by SAR satellites.…”

“…Remote Sens. 2024, 16, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 36 the ESA's Sentinel-1 [1]. The existing CyCLOPS network of corner reflector arrays and its surrounding area periodically undergoes imaging by SAR satellites.…”

Synergy of Advanced Processing Techniques Using Copernicus Sar and Optical Satellite Imagery to Detect Ground Displacements: The Case Studies of Pyrgos and Parekklisia Villages in Cyprus

“…Among the most widely remote sensing data sources for ground movements are satellite-based Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical imagery, where various studies and techniques in different landscapes have emerged (Zhang et al, 2022;Alatza et al, 2020;Svigkas et al, 2016;Danezis et al, 2022). The combination of SAR and optical satellite data provides a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying processes since this integration detects both vertical and * Corresponding author horizontal displacements (Bacques et al, 2020;Prodromou et al, 2023).…”