From concept to reality – one step closer to realising the full potential of Sentinel-2 data
Marketing
Space Innovation Facilitator, Joana Kamenova, says activities are progressing well towards making Sentinel-2 data available as a test Analysis Ready Data (ARD) dataset.
As part of its collaborative project with Defra’s Earth Observation Centre of Excellence and Aberystwyth University, the Satellite Applications Catapult is making available a test Sentinel-2 Analysis Ready Data (ARD) dataset.
The benefits of ARD and its potential to transform the use of satellite data have been widely acknowledged and championed by the Satellite Applications Catapult and the Defra group, alongside key stakeholders internationally. Publishing a test dataset is another step towards realising the benefits of ARD through engaging the UK and International ARD communities in standardising ARD, whilst exploring an actual product.
The project so far
The test dataset is only one of the open source deliverables made available to the community. The project has made available an open source and readily accessible tool that delivers state-of-the-art functionality in correcting optical satellite imagery. This includes atmospheric correction, terrain illumination mitigation, novel band-sharpening correction, and neighbouring multi-image processing capabilities to deliver a Sentinel-2 BoA (Bottom of Atmosphere) surface reflectance product. This tool is an expansion of the Atmospheric and Radiometric Correction of Satellite Imagery (ARCSI) software developed via leading research at Aberystwyth University and provides an accessible means of atmospherically correcting optical satellite imagery that aids automation.
A detailed brief of the key achievements of the project and its positioning among international ARD developments and other concepts, such as Data Cubes, is available online.
The test dataset and your feedback
The test ARD dataset can be accessed through an FTP link that is, in the first instance, made available to delegates attending our workshop on 15 September. This will be followed by another release of Sentinel-2 ARD as an open dataset for all relevant UK coverage. Alongside this dataset, a final project report will also be released. More details will be announced during September-October 2017.
