Abstract
BlackBridge is a leading provider of quality high-resolution satellite imagery. With the RapidEye constellation of five earth observation satellites, BlackBridge images up to five million square kilometers of earth every day, and adds over one billion square kilometers of imagery to its archive every year. The satellites are equally phased in a sun-synchronous orbit which allows for the possibility of imaging any point on the Earth (between 75°S to 75°N) each day. As RapidEye data features a combination of wide area repetitive coverage and five meter pixel multi-spectral imagery covering visible and near infrared wavelengths, it is a natural choice for many industries and government agencies.
BlackBridge is always looking for ways to improve the usability and reliability of RapidEye data for its customers. For several years, the calibration and validation team at BlackBridge have partnered with the University of Arizona and South Dakota State University to ensure the RapidEye constellation was accurately absolutely calibrated. BlackBridge is continuing this relationship and is also looking into adding additional known calibration sites including the Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY). Also from the beginning, the RapidEye constellation was designed to complement and enhance existing and future freely available land imaging missions such as Landsat and Sentinel. To this end, BlackBridge has undertaken a cross-calibration campaign between the RapidEye constellation and Landsat 8 and will also have the ground work set to perform a cross-calibration with Sentinel 2 after its launch. These cross-calibrations will focus on target areas of interest to forestry and agriculture customers. BlackBridge thus hopes to benefit the user community by allowing it to more easily and confidently use RapidEye data combined with other datasets for their analyses. This presentation will summarize the most up to date results achieved from all the above efforts.
Absolute Calibration of the RapidEye Constellation - Progress and Plans
BlackBridge is a leading provider of quality high-resolution satellite imagery. With the RapidEye constellation of five earth observation satellites, BlackBridge images up to five million square kilometers of earth every day, and adds over one billion square kilometers of imagery to its archive every year. The satellites are equally phased in a sun-synchronous orbit which allows for the possibility of imaging any point on the Earth (between 75°S to 75°N) each day. As RapidEye data features a combination of wide area repetitive coverage and five meter pixel multi-spectral imagery covering visible and near infrared wavelengths, it is a natural choice for many industries and government agencies.
BlackBridge is always looking for ways to improve the usability and reliability of RapidEye data for its customers. For several years, the calibration and validation team at BlackBridge have partnered with the University of Arizona and South Dakota State University to ensure the RapidEye constellation was accurately absolutely calibrated. BlackBridge is continuing this relationship and is also looking into adding additional known calibration sites including the Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY). Also from the beginning, the RapidEye constellation was designed to complement and enhance existing and future freely available land imaging missions such as Landsat and Sentinel. To this end, BlackBridge has undertaken a cross-calibration campaign between the RapidEye constellation and Landsat 8 and will also have the ground work set to perform a cross-calibration with Sentinel 2 after its launch. These cross-calibrations will focus on target areas of interest to forestry and agriculture customers. BlackBridge thus hopes to benefit the user community by allowing it to more easily and confidently use RapidEye data combined with other datasets for their analyses. This presentation will summarize the most up to date results achieved from all the above efforts.