Improve Your Image - Using GPS to Aid Satellite Remote Sensing

Michael H.B. Jensen, Moira F. Tighe

Abstract:	The objective of this project was to provide a solution for planning an oil-field development in a remote location Siberia. It was imperative to minimise logistics for safety and environmental reasons. Large-scale topo-graphic maps could not be obtained outside Russia. Co-ordinates for existing wells had been provided, but with-out any supporting information about their origins, coordinate reference system or quality. This project, therefore, had the dual objective of confirming the posi-tion of existing wells and other facilities, and also of pro-viding basemaps which could later be used to plan engi-neering operations. The chosen method demonstrates a pragmatic solution the many problems posed by the objectives. It was de-cided to exploit the potential of Landsat TM and SPOT satellite imagery for compilation of basemaps, with geo-coding observed by handheld GPS receivers. Data from two International GPS Service (IGS) stations was suc-cessfully used to verify the introduction of WGS-84 co-ordinates. In addition to satisfying the project objectives, we have identified a number of derived benefits. Costs have been constrained to a minimum, producing accuracies, which are consistent with the mapping requirements for plan-ning engineering developments. The conclusion of the project is that the fusion of GPS and remote sensing satellite technologies has resulted in a truly low-impact solution, which satisfies immediate re-quirements for engineering developments. Existing data was verified with minimum field exposure. The geo-coded satellite images not only allow basemap produc-tion, but also incur a 'force-multiplier' effect, providing a homogeneous medium for extraction, analysis and com-pilation of other data. GPS is significant in that it has unlocked the global potential of satellite remote sensing. This project demon-strates a method for geocoding satellite imagery, which is viable anywhere in the world, using handheld GPS re-ceivers and data from IGS stations. Higher resolution satellite images (pixel size of 1m) will become available during 1999. The approach de-scribed will accelerate the replacement of traditional methods for producing engineering mapping at scales up to 1:10,000.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 12th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1999) September 14 - 17, 1999 Nashville, TN
Pages:	1661 - 1666
Cite this article:	Jensen, Michael H.B., Tighe, Moira F., "Improve Your Image - Using GPS to Aid Satellite Remote Sensing," Proceedings of the 12th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1999), Nashville, TN, September 1999, pp. 1661-1666.
Full Paper:	ION Members/Non-Members: 1 Download Credit Sign In