The use of remote sensing satellites for verification in international law

This paper examines the use of remote sensing satellites for verification in public international law. Verification always depends on the specific agreement or mission to be verified. There are no general framework rules: the means of verification and the verifying authorities vary from agreement to agreement and from mission to mission. Rapid technological development and the intensifying international cooperation have led to an increasing number of international verification missions. Whereas, in the past, verification was at the heart of intelligence and national services, the commercialization of the remote sensing industry and the information revolution have supported the creation of joint initiatives in this field. Traditionally, verification is associated with disarmament and arms control treaties, but the paper will underline that this is only one field of application for verification missions. It is important to note that there is no binding international regime specifically addressing such activity. The lack of legal certainty in this field also applies to the use of remotely sensed data as evidence in legal proceedings.     

中国空间站光学遥感载荷的发展研究

光学遥感载荷的空间站平台相比卫星平台具有很大的优势,吸引了包括俄罗斯、美国和欧空局在内的国际空间站成员国争相进行空间站光学遥感载荷的新技术实验验证和对地观测研究。文章介绍了国际空间站光学遥感载荷的观测方式和特点,结合国际空间站光学遥感载荷的应用情况,从新技术实验验证和对地观测两个方面分析了中国空间站光学遥感载荷发展应该注意的问题,为中国空间站光学遥感载荷的发展提出了几点建议。     

International cooperation in remote sensing for global change research: political and economic considerations

Activities concerning international cooperation in space-based remote sensing for global change research have for the most part focused on technical/functional aspects such as data harmonization, research project coordination, and sensor selection and deployment. Until fairly recently, little attention has been directed towards the various political and economic constraints which may act as ‘stumbling blocks’. A review of the contemporary international remote sensing milieu as it relates to the global change research agenda is presented. Several important political and economic conditions affecting this area are identified: (1) data access and pricing policies; (2) national security concerns; (3) developed/developing nation relations; and (4) inconsistent political/financial commitments. A set of recommendations is offered to enhance international cooperation in the use of space-based remote sensing data for global change research.     

Information Service System for Receiving and Processing Multi Source Remote Sensing Images

Based on international requirements for the application of commercial remote sensing data,an information service system for receiving and processing multi source remote sensing data was developed and introduced.The system consists of an Oversea Fixed Ground Service Station(OFGS),a Transportable Vessel-Borne Service Station(TVBS) and a Data Operation and Management Center(DOMC).Fixed and transportable service stations were developed in Venezuela,Latin America and for the China's Xuelong polar research vessel respectively,and serve the function of remote sensing data receiving,processing and application.The DOMC connects the OFGS and TVBS,so that they constitute a network to provide receiving,distribution,retrieval,browsing,ordering,and downloading functions for multi remote sensing satellite data and products.It validates the competence in providing 40 kinds of typical application products.The development of this system provides a reliable and comprehensive service for commercial remote sensing data applications for users both in domestic and oversea markets.     

Remote sensing in the information age

A large percentage of the public today perceives the majority of applications of Earth observation data from satellite and aircraft altitudes to be focused on the understanding and management of the renewable and non-renewable resources of the Earth and its environment. Originally conceived as a tool for gathering intelligence information, remote sensing has just fully emerged from its military womb to the public domain. Advances in the technology, a variety of indirect benefits that could be derived from space exploration, commercialization of remote sensing and the drive of the value-added companies - all of these hold promise for new opportunities for many other novel applications of Earth observation data and related information. In the advent of the more advanced, user-friendly, cost effective, and problem solving operations being championed by the private sector, particularly in the industrialized countries, it appears that the commercial future for remote sensing programmes and related information generated in the process is promising. This paper examines how the information age is influencing the metamorphosis of remote sensing technology particularly through international legal instruments and converging technologies. In spite of the progress attained to-date, of international concern is possible radio frequency interference between remote sensing satellite and communication satellite services. There is also a major knowledge gap between the providers of raw remote sensing data and the user community, particularly those interested in the new high-level information. A resolution of these issues will enhance the contributions of remote sensing to the information economy.     

WorldView系列卫星设计状态分析与启示

WorldView 系列卫星是目前世界商业卫星中分辨率较高的光学遥感卫星。文章从卫星总体设计角度介绍了WorldView 系列卫星技术指标,分析了卫星敏捷机动工作能力、构形布局设计、平台和载荷一体化设计和微振动抑制设计等,梳理出国外先进遥感卫星的发展趋势,以此为基础提出了对我国新一代光学遥感卫星的设计启示。     

机载高分辨率遥感图像实时压缩系统研究

介绍了图像压缩系统的5种主要架构,分析、比较了这5种架构的优缺点。基于现场可编程门阵列(FPGA)的图像压缩系统架构,提出了一种适合机载应用的高分辨率遥感图像实时压缩系统,该系统具有体积小、功耗低的特点。另外,还针对JPEG-LS(JPEG-Lossless)算法的特点,提出了一种简单有效的位率控制和抗误码方法,并在基于VIRTEX-ⅡFPGA的实时压缩系统中进行了具体应用,实现了机载遥感图像的无损和近无损图像实时压缩。该系统预留了充分的硬件资源,可支持EZW和SPIHT等复杂度较高的高倍率图像压缩算法的应用。     

Expanding global access to civilian and commercial remote sensing data: implications and policy issues

Current and planned developments in the field of civilian and commercial satellite imagery promise a major expansion in international accessibility to remote sensing data and technologies. This paper addresses the implications of the expanding global access to land remote sensing data and their derived products. While atmospheric, meteorological, and oceanographic data is also widely available at cost or free of charge, it is land remote sensing - specifically the unique systems with high-resolution and frequent revisit times - that are of primary concern for international and regional security issues. Military and intelligence satellites are not addressed in this discussion of expansion due to their inherently controlled access, unless such systems also provide commercially available imagery or products (as is the case with some Russian systems).     

The use of remote sensing to support the application of multilateral environmental agreements

There is a growing realisation of the increasingly varied and interesting possibilities for the use of Earth observation data to ensure compliance with international obligations generally, and treaty obligations in particular. Most examinations of the application of Earth observation data to monitoring states’ compliance with international obligations focus on the environmental sector. This paper proposes the use of remote sensing satellites for the support of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), especially land monitoring MEAs such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) and the Kyoto Protocol (1997). It discusses the uses of remote sensing for treaty implementation or enforcement in general, and the admissability of satellite imagery as legal proof, before examining how Earth observation-derived data could be of benefit to specific MEAs. As sensors become increasingly sophisticated the use of remote sensing in this area should grow but it needs to be supported by its more widespread legal recognition as proof.     

Remote sensing of natural resources : Legal and political considerations for the Third World

A state's posture on remote sensing of the Earth by orbiting satellites varies depending upon whether it is a ‘sensing’ or a ‘sensed’ state, upon its present economic status, and upon its economic and political history. This article considers the international legal questions related to remote sensing and discusses the political aspects with special emphasis upon the views of the Third World. The author concludes that, unless Third World states and others who support them alter their views somewhat, it is probable that remote sensing of natural resources will continue without specific legal guidelines.     

Expanding global access to civilian and commercial remote sensing data: implications and policy issues

Current and planned developments in the field of civilian and commercial² satellite imagery promise a major expansion in international accessibility to remote sensing data and technologies. This paper addresses the implications of the expanding global access to land remote sensing data and their derived products. While atmospheric, meteorological, and oceanographic data is also widely available at cost or free of charge, it is land remote sensing – specifically the unique systems with high-resolution and frequent revisit times – that are of primary concern for international and regional security issues. Military and intelligence satellites are not addressed in this discussion of expansion due to their inherently controlled access, unless such systems also provide commercially available imagery or products (as is the case with some Russian systems).     

Developing countries and remote sensing: how intergovernmental factors impede progress

Developing countries lag significantly behind more advanced nations in the local adoption and application of satellite remote sensing technology. Narrowing this gap through appropriate international cooperation is, however, often constrained by national interests and priorities. The paper presents an overview of several of these inter-governmental constraints using as its main basis the outcomes of recent regional and international conferences hosted by the United Nations. Future enhancement of international cooperation in remote sensing will occur best within settings where both developing and technologically advanced countries are sensitive and responsive to each other's concerns.     

星上遥感影像在轨处理进展研究

从星地数传、高时敏任务等对星上遥感影像在轨处理的需求出发,本文对美国、欧洲以及国内主要的星上遥感影像在轨处理进展进行了研究;以此为基础,结合星上遥感影像在轨处理框架与深度学习等智能处理技术,分析了高性能星上智能处理平台构建、基于深度学习的遥感影像在轨智能处理、多源遥感影像数据在轨融合处理、星地协同数据处理及在轨更新等星上遥感影像在轨处理关键技术;最后,对星上遥感影像在轨处理未来发展趋势进行了总结,为进一步提升遥感卫星在轨应用效能提供参考。     

月球测图技术发展及其关键技术分析

首先针对国外有关测绘技术和方案,对国际月球探测测绘历程进行概括总结,并针对CCD立体观测、干涉雷达测量、扫描激光测绘等3种主要的测绘方案进行分析比较,继而提出适合我国月球探测目标的三维遥感测绘成像技术途径,并对月球探测器三维遥感数据的信息成像模型进行了分析和阐述,对数据表示、处理和存储进行论述;建议“采用组合CCD相机和成像光谱仪的月球三维遥感”作为我国环月遥感立体测绘的首选方案。     

Towards a new remote sensing order?

This Viewpoint argues that the 1986 UN Principles on Remote Sensing have failed to anticipate the growth and broadening of the Earth observation field and are now less relevant. It traces the development of remote sensing: from a narrow government-controlled base, three distinct sectors of military, civil (i.e. public) and commercial Earth observation can now be distinguished and the latter is making images ever more widely and easily available. There has been no international effort to adjust the international legal regime to this changing environment and even the USA's remote sensing policy has basically been reactive. It is impossible now to conceive an overarching remote sensing policy and the challenge will be to shape each sectoral regime appropriately.     

景物和成像条件对遥感图像品质的影响

遥感图像是遥感数据获取系统的输出,遥感图像的品质表现为遥感图像在完成遥感任务中的应用价值。遥感图像品质由成像链的状态和性能决定。成像链包含景物、成像条件和成像系统的所有组成部分。文章介绍光学遥感情况下,景物和成像条件对遥感图像品质的影响,包括景物特性和成像条件的表征,及其对遥感图像品质影响的分析。同时,指出了针对景物和成像条件,在成像系统设计和运行等方面需注意的问题。     

基于深度卷积神经网络的遥感影像目标检测

随着遥感影像数据规模的快速扩张,如何高效准确地识别遥感影像中的典型目标成为当前的研究热点。为解决传统遥感影像目标检测方法准确率低的问题,用基于深度卷积神经网络进行遥感影像目标检测,在遥感影像数据集上用基于Faster-RCNN的神经网络模型对VGG16卷积网络进行训练,对输入的遥感影像通过区域推荐网络标注出待检目标的包围框和置信度,实现对遥感影像的目标检测。以飞机和油罐为例,在TensorFlow深度学习框架下实现了数据预处理、网络训练、目标检测等功能,并在当前测试数据集上取得了较高的检测准确率和置信度。该研究成果可应用于遥感影像解译和处理等相关领域。     

Pakistan's space programme

Space research in Pakistan is conducted by the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco). Suparco's programmes consist of the launching of sounding rockets and satellite applications, especially remote sensing and communications. Its long-term goals are to develop communications and remote sensing satellites and to launch lightweight scientific satellites in near-Earth orbits. To train its scientific staff at postgraduate level, Suparco is establishing an Aerospace Institute. The Commission is very active in international forums such as the UN COPUOS, Cospar, IAF and IUCN.     

Paxsat and progress in arms control : Canadian research focuses on remote sensing applications

Verification of arms control treaties is essential to provide adequate international confidence in treaty compliance. This Viewpoint underlines the responsibility of non-superpower countries to become more closely involved in space surveillance of treaties to which they are parties. In Canada, Paxsat research has focused on two potential applications of space-based remote sensing to multi-lateral arms control verification. The necessary technology is readily available in non-superpower countries for the Paxsat concept to be put into operation.     

Remote sensing: A case for moving space data towards the public good

This paper discusses whether current international and national regulation of remote sensing activities achieves a true balance between proprietary interests of producers of remote sensing data and information and the needs of the community in accessing that data and information. By subjecting remote sensing data to general copyright restrictions that are often coupled with exclusive licences, irrespective of type or use of data and/or information, the development of important secondary information markets could be negatively hampered. In the long run, over-regulating access to space data may prove counter-productive in the information age. Using examples of different modes of information dissemination currently being practised, the paper highlights the balances to be drawn between legal issues of private ownership of data and information and public good interests. It concludes with suggestions for a more coherent regulatory approach.