Until now, global soil moisture measurements have been missing from the set of tools used by scientists to predict short- and long-term climate change both locally and globally. In 2001, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) teamed up with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) to propose an instrument to measure soil moisture.

NASA subsequently selected the Hydrosphere State Mission (HYDROS), a combined radar and radiometer system, for the mission definition phase. HYDROS data would be used to predict global change by assessing global warming in support of international climate change agreements. It would also be one of the first missions to provide global measurement of soil moisture, and the first to provide a global picture of the Earth's hydrosphere state, which comprises soil moisture and freeze/thaw information.

The CSA will consider supplying the antenna design, antenna feed hardware and the SAR processor, all to be developed by Canadian Industry. In exchange, two Canadian scientists would be given roles as Co-Principal Investigators, and Canada will be granted full data access.

For more information, please contact:

Guy Séguin
Director spacecraft payloads
Canadian Space Agency
Tel.: (450) 926-4614
E-mail: guy.seguin@space.gc.ca

In recent years, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has acquired numerous images from the RADARSAT-1 satellite. In an effort to make optimal use of these images, the CSA has undertaken the development of a viewing catalogue. The catalogue will be user-friendly to provide everyone with easy access to all RADARSAT-1 data processed for the CSA and facilitating their reuse for research purposes.

The Commercialization Office is currently updating the RADARSAT-1 images catalogue through the RADARSAT-1 User Development Program (RUDP) and Earth Observation Applications Development Program (EOADP), and by adding data from the Satellite Operations sector. This information was gathered for such projects as the Application Development and Research Opportunities (ADRO), International Charter "Space and Major Disasters", Background Mission, and Integrated Satellite Targeting of Polluters (I-STOP) programs.

The next steps involve making the catalogue available on-line and including other types of remote-sensing data at the CSA's disposal (Convair, ENVISAT, etc.). A CD-ROM version of the RADARSAT image catalogue will also be released.

For more information, please contact:

Christine Giguère
Applications Coordinator-Disaster Management
Canadian Space Agency
Tel.: (450) 926-6559
E-mail: christine.giguere@space.gc.ca

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has found a different way to show Canada from the heavens. Using hundreds of satellite images, NRCan has assembled a huge photograph of our country as seen from space. Combining compression technology with the collaborative efforts of the Canadian Forest Service and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), this colossal mosaic, entitled Earth Observation for Sustainable Development of Forests, is the highest resolution image available free of charge in Canada. To obtain a copy, please contact Jeff Dechka at the Pacific Forestry Centre.

As a general rule, satellite images are used to illustrate tourism brochures and regional planning sessions, and often serve as backdrops during televised weather forecasts. NRCan research scientist Dr Mike Wulder says that besides being a valuable source of monitoring research data, the mosaic is unparalleled when it comes to showing the immensity, variation and uniqueness of the Canadian landscape.

For more information: http://www.pfc.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/news/newstips/Mosaic_e.html

For more information, please contact:

Jeff Dechka
EOSD Remote Sensing Data and Product Co-ordinator
Pacific Forestry Centre, Canadian Forest Service, Victoria
Tel.: (250) 363-0188
E-mail: jdechka@pfc.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca

The National Research Council of Canada's Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Institute (IMTI-NRC) is organizing an International Workshop in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade and London Economic Development Corporation. The workshop, which features Advanced Technologies and Integrated Manufacturing Systems, will be held on June 1^st and 2^nd, 2004 at NRC-IMTI in London, Ontario, Canada.

The Workshop focuses on international multi-disciplinary research, development and implementation of findings on advanced technologies and integrated manufacturing systems. Emphasis is placed on the integration of product/process/system development and full cycle manufacturing processes through the application of a synergetic combination of fundamental and applied engineering knowledge for the solution of complex manufacturing problems. The goal of the workshop is to provide a forum for researchers, technology providers, manufacturing executives, strategic planners and decision makers to share innovative strategies and knowledge relevant to manufacturing technologies and systems.

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Evgueni Bordatchev
Event Chair
National Research Council Canada
Tel.: (519) 430-7107
E-mail: AMT2004@nrc.gc.ca

On January 26, 2004, the International Charter "Space & Major Disasters" was activated following a request from the Canadian Authorized User, OCIPEP (Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection & Emergency Preparedness), to cover serious flooding in the urban areas of Bolivia. The request was made on behalf of Bolivia's Vice Minister of Civil Defense, the highest authority dealing with disasters in Bolivia, and by the Director General of Prevention and Reconstruction.

Dendron Resources Surveys, a Canadian remote sensing value-added company, provided information products and services to the end users. The Charter data for disaster relief and response will also be used jointly with the Multinational Andean Project: Geoscience for Andean Communities (MAP:GAC), which is a CIDA-funded project implemented by a team from the Geological Survey of Canada (Vancouver, B.C.). The final report containing the results of the Charter activation will be available soon.

For more information, please contact:

Christine Giguère
Project Manager
International Charter "Space & Major Disasters"
Canadian Space Agency
Tel.: (450) 926-6559
E-mail: christine.giguere@space.gc.ca

or

Ahmed Mahmood
Executive Secretariat
International Charter "Space & Major Disasters"
Canadian Space Agency
Tel.: (450) 926-4432
E-mail: ahmed.mahmood@space.gc.ca

To prepare the remote sensing community for RADARSAT-2, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and NRCan's Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) will hold a series of workshops on Radar Polarimetry. The first of these regional workshops will be held in Montreal on March 2^nd and 3^rd, 2004. Another three workshops are planned in the future, tentatively in Ottawa, Calgary and Halifax.

These workshops are designed for entry-level use of polarimetric SAR image analysis techniques. Instructional presentations will cover "simplified" theory of SAR and polarimetry and polarimetric tools. Hands-on exercises will be offered using SAR images and polarimetric tools.

Location:
CRIM Formation
550, Sherbrooke West
Montreal, (Quebec) H3A 1B9

Registration:
A detailed workshop program will be available shortly. Registration fee is $100 (lunch and workshop material CD will be provided). Because of the interactive nature of the workshop, places are limited. Requests will be treated on a first come, first served basis. Registration should be made at polarimetry.workshops@space.gc.ca no later than Feb 26^th, 2004. Confirmation of registration will be sent by email. You may also send any questions to this address.

The Canadian Space Agency, Defence R&D; Canada - Ottawa/Atlantic, and Environment Canada are planning a polarimetric SAR marine mission based in Halifax during the week of March 22, 2004. The Environment Canada Convair-580 will acquire polarimetric SAR data during several flights over CFAV "Quest", a research vessel for the defence of Canada, which will serve as a target vessel and will collect environmental data. A ground team will deploy a radar calibration site. Four marine objectives will be addressed: polarimetric signatures of a vessel at sea; ship wake observations; along-track interferometery for marine targets; and ocean clutter characterization. In addition, several lines will extended over the City of Halifax and its harbour regions in support of urban applications. SAR acquisitions will also be planned for available ENVISAT ASAR and RADARSAT-1 passes.

Once processed, the CSA will make mission images and validation data available through its Convair-580 archive. Free access will be given to RADARSAT-2 application development stakeholders in industry, academia and government. Interested researchers should contact the CSA by Feb 27^th to discuss other potential SAR data acquisitions during this mission.

For more information, please contact:

Mo Farhat
Manager, RADARSAT-2 Utilization
Commercialization Office
Canadian Space Agency
Tel.: (450) 926-4469
E-mail: mo.farhat@space.gc.ca