MODERN TRENDS OF REMOTE SENSING DATA SERVICES AT EROS, USGS
ISBN 978-85-88783-11-9
Authors
1Saleh, R.
1EROS, USGS Email: rsaleh@usgs.gov
Abstract
The Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) offers online access of extensive variety of remote sensing data sets of global and regional coverages, at no cost to the user. These data sets are acquired from many different sensors, of multiple dates, resolutions, spectral dimensions, and pre-processing status. Data Services of EROS strives to enhance the user engagement, by improving access, efficiency and usability of the vast remote sensing data available online, not only to the specialized and advanced users, but to the beginner and novice users as well. In this paper, we discuss three emerging activities that, in our view, pushes the role and the value of remote sensing data from EROS. These are the Earth Observation Depot Network (EODN), the Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection (LCMAP), and the Digital Orthophoto Production of Historical Scanned Photography. One of the primary roles of EODN is distribution of high-value data products from large data providers such as EROS. While EROS serves as a member of this network, it will provide a primary node that acts as a conduit for the endless remote sensing data feeding and updating into the other nodes within EODN. Currently, EROS is in the process of developing a prototype deployment of EODN that is focused on distribution of Landsat 8 data, but only as a model for other future remote sensing data, such as Landsat 9 and Sentinel series. In this context, EODN aims at providing robust alternative for distributing remote sensing data to the user; it offers many advantages to traditional data distribution approaches whether they be server-based download, point-to-point transfer or even conventional server-farm-based cloud systems. EODN is a user-owned and operated, distributed system that is exceptionally scalable, robust and adaptable. Further, the data logistics concepts that are at the heart of EODN offer potential advantages that have yet to be fully explored for distribution of high-value, critical data. LCMAP project realizes the vision that that EROS be the world’s primary source and stewards of remotely sensed land images, providers of land-change science information and knowledge for the United States and the World, and leaders in understanding how changes in land use, cover, and condition affect people and nature. The LCMAP model is based on three major assumptions: it is a Center-level system; it emphasizes the depth of the growing Landsat archive; and it provides opportunities to realize efficiencies in processing, analyzing, and storing data and in making data and information available to users. These assumptions are based on a set of tenets for the EROS land-change science system. They are: Analysis-ready Landsat data; Agile and adaptive systems and methodologies; Continuous monitoring for change; Community awareness; Assessment portfolio; including both cyclical and special topical reports; Ease of EROS data discoverability; and Web access to all data products, as well as analysis tools. The third initiative is to carry out orthorectification of historical aerial photographs being scanned at EROS. The project assumes a process that is semi-automated with a minimal human interaction; quality controlled and validated; and archived with complete ancillary data and metadata. The specifications of the deliverable include a target resolution that is consistent with that of the scanned photographs, the target accuracy will matches that of the reference (standard) Digital Ortho Quarter Quadrangle (DOQQ), and the derived product must be in a coordinate system that the user can actually use.
Keywords
EROS; EODN; ORTHOPHOTO