Radar satellite image processing to assess damage after storms

Dr. Vu Anh Tuan, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Space Center, said that in recent days, scientists of the Vietnam Space Center have processed image data from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites to quickly assess damage in coastal aquaculture areas affected by Typhoon Yagi in Quang Ninh and Hai Phong.

The collected data includes two Sentinel-1 images (European SAR satellite, C-band, 10m spatial resolution) taken on August 29, 2024 (before the storm) and September 10, 2024 (after the storm had just passed).

Using fast image processing tools on VV polarization, image enhancement and sensory assessment, coastal aquaculture areas have been severely damaged.

In addition, to survey and assess the flooded areas in Hanoi , the Vietnam Space Center has requested the Japanese side to support satellite imaging. In particular, the ASNARO-2 radar remote sensing satellite image (X-band, 2m resolution, similar to Vietnam's future satellite) taken at 5:33 p.m. on September 12, 2024, in the Hanoi area and surrounding areas, shows that the area along the Ca Lo River has flooded areas on both sides of the river.

These results are only initial results based on rapid processing of SAR images, thereby showing the superiority of SAR images in providing information related to natural disasters thanks to the ability to capture through clouds (during this time optical satellite images cannot observe the ground).

According to Dr. Vu Anh Tuan, for a more accurate assessment, more processing time is needed and coordination with field verification information is needed. In the coming time, the Vietnam Space Center will continue to coordinate with foreign partners to exploit SAR satellite images and process them quickly to provide information that contributes to proactive response to natural disasters.

In particular, we are focusing on completing the LOTUSat-1 satellite, Vietnam's first radar technology satellite, so that it can be launched into orbit in 2025. When Vietnam has its own radar satellite, it will be more timely and proactive in capturing areas of interest.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/xu-ly-hinh-anh-ve-tinh-radar-nham-danh-gia-nhanh-thiet-hai-sau-bao-post831278.html