Helmut Mühle

The EnMAP Spaceborne Imaging Spectroscopy Mission for Earth Observation

Imaging spectroscopy, also known as hyperspectral remote sensing, is based on the characterization of Earth surface materials and processes through spectrally-resolved measurements of the light interacting with matter. The potential of imaging spectroscopy for Earth remote sensing has been demonstrated since the 1980s. However, most of the developments and applications in imaging spectroscopy have largely relied on airborne spectrometers, as the amount and quality of space-based imaging spectroscopy data remain relatively low to date. The upcoming Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program (EnMAP) German imaging spectroscopy mission is intended to fill this gap. An overview of the main characteristics and current status of the mission is provided in this contribution. The core payload of EnMAP consists of a dual-spectrometer instrument measuring in the optical spectral range between 420 and 2450 nm with a spectral sampling distance varying between 5 and 12 nm and a reference signal-to-noise ratio of 400:1 in the visible and near-infrared and 180:1 in the shortwave-infrared parts of the spectrum. EnMAP images will cover a 30 km-wide area in the across-track direction with a ground sampling distance of 30 m. An across-track tilted observation capability will enable a target revisit time of up to four days at the Equator and better at high latitudes. EnMAP will contribute to the development and exploitation of spaceborne imaging spectroscopy applications by making high-quality data freely available to scientific users worldwide.

EnMAP Ground Segment Design: An Overview and Its Hyperspectral Image Processing Chain

EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program; www.enmap.org) is the first German hyperspectral remote sensing satellite mission. This chapter focuses on the challenges on the design of the ground segment as a whole and in particular of its image processing chain. In the context of the system response time we investigate the ability of tilting the satellite which allows for frequent revisits and enables meaningful downstream change detection activities on a global scale. In the context of comparable and high-quality controlled products we investigate in detail the processing steps to radiometrically calibrate, spectrally characterize, geometrically and atmospherically correct the data. The status corresponds to the baseline for the production activities of the ground segment, namely only minor changes are expected. The launch is planned for 2016. The establishment and operation of the ground segment is under responsibility of the Earth Observation Center (EOC) and the German Space Operations Center (GSOC) at the German Aerospace Center (DLR).

On the design of the ground segment for the future hyperspectral satellite mission EnMAP

The ground segment of the future German hyperspectral satellite mission EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program; www.enmap.org) is developed by the Applied Remote Sensing Cluster and the German Space Operations Center at the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The launch is planned for 2013. This paper describes the EnMAP mission - being currently in its detailed design phase - and focuses first on the analysis of the development approach for the ground segment formed by 15 subsystems. Second the ground segment and subsystems designs themselves with their relations to the space and user segments are detailed.

Towards a critical design of an operational ground segment for an Earth observation mission

Abstract The ground segment for the future remote sensing mission Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program (EnMAP; www.enmap.org) is developed by the Earth Observation Center and the German Space Operations Center at the German Aerospace Center. The launch is scheduled for 2017. An operational satellite ground segment is a highly complex heterogeneous system which has to cope with different levels of criticality, novelty, specificity, and to be operated for many years. It consists of equipment, hard- and software as well as operators with their procedures. The strengths of the global coherence of the segment-wide approach bringing these aspects together is examined and not on the local details of segment-specific issues. However, the effects on two software-based elements of the ground segment are considered in more detail, namely the product library and the level 2geo processor. The development methodology and how the critical design of the complete ground segment finished its detailed design phase successfully was achieved is analyzed. As a measure of the maturity of the design, its stability across the project phases is proposed.

The user interface of the EnMAP satellite mission

The Ground Segment for the future hyperspectral satellite mission EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program) will be designed, implemented and operated by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The Applied Remote Sensing Cluster (DFD) at DLR is responsible for the establishment of a user interface. This paper provides first issues on design and functionality of the user interface. The user interface consists of two online portals. The EnMAP portal is the central entry point for all users interested to learn about the EnMAP mission, its objectives, status, and results. The EnMAP Data Access Portal (EDAP) provides a set of functions for registered users that will support the international EnMAP user community. The operational services offered through the EnMAP portal will be complemented by a service team, EnMAP Application Support, offering expert advice on the exploitation of EnMAP data.