Technical note: using ISS videos in Earth observation – implementations for science and education

Abstract

A large variety of various passive and active satellite sensors producing panchromatic, multispectral or hyperspectral images of the Earth's surface are currently in space and are used in different scientific fields such as earth science (e.g. geography, hydrology, geology, oceanography and glaciology), disaster management, as well as for military, commercial and economic purposes. In contrast, video files are a rather exotic data format in the field of Earth observation. Occasionally, video cameras are used in airborne remote sensing, but only recently video Earth observation from space has been established. This paper aims at the integration of video data in the scientific workflow, revealing advantages and disadvantages of moving images. Being the only available source for continuous video Earth observation data, the NASA experiment High Definition Earth Viewing on-board the International Space Station is the basis for our evaluation of the usability of video data. Following the rather coarse resolution of these data, we exemplify some potential fields of application in science and education. We show a basic workflow how to produce 3D models and stereoscopic videos of the Earth's surface. As a pre-study for videos with better spatial as well as radiometric resolution, the delivered products serve not only scientific purposes, but are integrated in school lessons to evoke the pupils' fascination for earth sciences and space.

DIEGO: A Multispectral Thermal Mission for Earth Observation on the International Space Station

“…The photos represent varying camera angles, light conditions and overlaps, making it difficult to derive a sufficiently accurate 3D model. The challenges and limitations of NASA's HDEV (High Definition Earth Viewing) video data (Muri, Runco, Fontanot, & Getteau, 2017) for low-resolution 3D model generation (GSD of 500 m) were already described (Schultz, Ortwein, & Rienow, 2018) and they are similar to those observed for the high-resolution Fuji model presented here. Consequently, a sensor with low light capabilities like a Sony EXMOR® CMOS 35 mm sensor with 12.4 megapixel (0.004 Lux/ISO 409,600, 4K), or even 8K version CMOS is useful.…”

“…In that regard, the DIEGO project can build on experience gained in the school projects "Remote Sensing in Schools" (FIS), Columbus Eye and KEPLER-ISS (all funded by DLR) (Rienow et al, 2015). The goal is to disseminate and deepen knowledge about key technologies, space flight and Earth observation in schools to foster the competences of the pupils in terms of selforganization and spatial orientation (Rienow et al, 2015;Schultz et al, 2018). Therefore, the DIEGO project will also promote and support school-related activities within ESERO Germany (European Space Education Resource Office) funded by ESA.…”