Recommended satellite imagery capabilities for disaster managementThis study explores the role that satellite imaging systems might play in obtaining information needed in the management of natural and manmade disasters. Information requirements which might conceivably be met by satellite were identified for over twenty disasters. These requirements covered pre-disaster mitigation and preparedness activities, disaster response activities, and post-disaster recovery activities. The essential imaging satellite characteristics needed to meet most of the information requirements are 30 meter (or finer) spatial resolution, frequency of observations of one week or less, data delivery times of one day or less, and stereo, synoptic all-weather coverage of large areas in the visible, near infrared, thermal infrared and microwave bands. Of the current and planned satellite systems investigated for possible application to disaster management, Landsat-D and SPOT appear to have the greatest potential during disaster mitigation and preparedness activities, but all satellites studied have serious deficiencies during response and recovery activities. Several strawman concepts are presented for a satellite system optimized to support all disaster management activities.
Document ID
19820061138
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Richards, P. B. (U.S. Navy, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington DC, United States)
Robinove, C. J. (U.S. Geological Survey Reston, VA, United States)
Wiesnet, D. R. (NOAA Washington, DC, United States)
Salomonson, V. V. (Naval Research Lab. Washington, DC, United States)
Maxwell, M. S. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)