Detection of aircraft crash sites from space using fully polarimetric SIR-C SAR imagery for search and rescue applications

Christopher R. Jackson; Houra Rais

doi:10.1117/12.359953

24 August 1999 Detection of aircraft crash sites from space using fully polarimetric SIR-C SAR imagery for search and rescue applications

Christopher R. Jackson, Houra Rais

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 3718, Automatic Target Recognition IX; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.359953
Event: AeroSense '99, 1999, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

The Beaconless Search & Rescue Program at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has been working to solve the technological challenges associated with detecting small aircraft crash sites using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. One area of work has focused on the use of fully polarimetric imagery to both improve image quality and distinguish the crash sites from the natural background. Data from aircraft based SARs have been used for development but since a SAR satellite deployment is one possible option for a practical Search and Rescue system, the work is being extended to satellite SAR imagery. This paper presents the results of processing Shuttle Imaging Radar-C (SIR-C) data collected over an aircraft crash site near Wadesboro, North Carolina through the target detection software developed at GSFC. The results demonstrate the ability to achieve crash site detection using SAR data collected from Earth orbit.

Citation Download Citation

Christopher R. Jackson and Houra Rais "Detection of aircraft crash sites from space using fully polarimetric SIR-C SAR imagery for search and rescue applications", Proc. SPIE 3718, Automatic Target Recognition IX, (24 August 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.359953

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