Earth observation method

US5883584A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Dornier GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Manfred Langemann · Mindelheim, DE
• Uwe Mallow · Friedrichshafen, DE
• Rudolf Benz · Markdorf, DE
• Harald Schussler · Daisendorf, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 21, 1993
• Grant date: Mar 16, 1999
• Expiry date: May 21, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64G1/1021
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Two sensors are carried on board a spacecraft: a first, low resolution "preview" sensor, and a second high resolution "fine sensor", the latter having sensing parameters which can be adjusted to satisfy the needs of a particular customer. The instantaneous field of view of the preview sensor is located at a fixed distance ahead of that of the fine sensor, so that within a predetermined time period, users may decide which partial data are to be transmitted by the fine sensor and under which observation parameters (such as spacial resolution, spectral channels, measuring site, size of the measured area) to their earth station in near real time, still within the course of the actual overflight. Compilation of the specific data requested by the customers takes place on-board the spacecraft upon telecommands by the customers themselves. Sensing of the data requested by the customer is then performed by the fine sensor.