Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
  • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
  • B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
  • B64G1/10—Artificial satellites; Systems of such satellites; Interplanetary vehicles
  • B64G1/1021—Earth observation satellites
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
  • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
  • B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
  • B64G1/10—Artificial satellites; Systems of such satellites; Interplanetary vehicles
  • B64G1/1021—Earth observation satellites
  • B64G1/1042—Earth observation satellites specifically adapted for meteorology
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
  • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
  • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
  • G01S13/95—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for meteorological use
  • G01S13/955—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for meteorological use mounted on satellite
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01W—METEOROLOGY
  • G01W1/00—Meteorology
  • G01W1/02—Instruments for indicating weather conditions by measuring two or more variables, e.g. humidity, pressure, temperature, cloud cover or wind speed
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
  • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
  • B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
  • B64G1/10—Artificial satellites; Systems of such satellites; Interplanetary vehicles
  • B64G1/1021—Earth observation satellites
  • B64G1/1028—Earth observation satellites using optical means for mapping, surveying or detection, e.g. of intelligence
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
  • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
  • B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
  • B64G1/10—Artificial satellites; Systems of such satellites; Interplanetary vehicles
  • B64G1/1021—Earth observation satellites
  • B64G1/1035—Earth observation satellites using radar for mapping, surveying or detection, e.g. of intelligence

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of observing a planet using observation satellites in orbit around the planet.
• An observation satellite in orbit around a planet can be in stationary orbit, in which case the observation satellite is stationary relative to the surface of this planet, or in traveling orbit, in which case the observation satellite is in movement relative to the surface of this planet.
• a stationary orbiting observation satellite allows continuous observation of a fixed area of the planet. This fixed area is limited to a disc, or more precisely a spherical cap of the planet's surface.
• a satellite in falling orbit rotates around the planet observing an observation area (generally called the "swath") which moves on the planet along a trajectory corresponding to a projection of the orbit of the satellite in falling orbit on the surface of the planet.
• Each area observed by the moving orbiting observation satellite is observed at a frequency called the revisit frequency.
• One of the aims of the invention is to provide an observation method which makes it possible to collect reliable and complete data in space and time.
• the invention proposes a method of observing a planet implemented by computer, the method comprising:
• the constitution of a database containing pre-recorded reference observation data makes it possible to predict, for example by machine learning, what types of first observation data and / or second observation data could have been observed, then that these data are missing.
• the constitution of such a database also makes it possible to determine, for example by machine learning, the first observation data which could have been observed by a satellite in traveling orbit in an area of interest which has not been observed. by this satellite in traveling orbit during a given time period, as a function of first observation data acquired by the satellite in traveling orbit during the given time period in observation areas located near the area of interest, and reference observation data previously recorded in the database, in particular on the basis of initial reference observation data or on the basis of joint reference observations.
• the observation method may include one or more of the following optional characteristics:
• the reference observation data contain joint reference observations, each joint observation comprising first data observation and second observation data acquired for the same joint observation area and in the same joint observation time period;
• each calculation step is performed by a predictive algorithm updated by machine learning as a function of the reference observation data previously recorded in the database for at least one area of interest observed jointly by the first observation satellite and the second observation satellite;
• the second observation data make it possible to detect meteorological phenomena in the planet's atmosphere, variations in atmospheric compositions, variations on the surface or inside the planet, and variations in electric fields , electromagnetic, gravitic and quantum whatever the wavelengths;
• the first observation data make it possible to detect meteorological phenomena on the surface of the planet, variations in atmospheric compositions, variations on the surface or inside the planet and variations in electric, electromagnetic fields , gravitic and quantum whatever the wavelengths;
• an observation satellite includes at least one on-board image sensor.
• each image sensor operates in any wavelength range, for example one or more among the visible wavelengths, infrared wavelengths and microwaves;
• An observation satellite has at least one on-board radar sensor (56), for example a synthetic aperture radar sensor; and
• the invention also relates to a planet observation system configured for the implementation of the observation method as defined above, the observation system comprising a first observation satellite in traveling orbit and a second observation satellite in stationary orbit, a database in which reference observation data are stored, and a computer on which is installed a prediction algorithm configured to implement each calculation step when executed by the 'computer.
• the invention also relates to a computer program product comprising code instructions for implementing an observation method as defined above.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic view of observation satellites of a satellite observation system of a planet
• FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the satellite observation system
• FIG. 3 to 6 are schematic views illustrating areas of interest located between observation areas.
• a satellite observation system 2 configured for the observation of a planet 4 has a first observation satellite 6 in orbit traveling around the planet 4 and a second observation satellite 8 in stationary orbit around the planet 4.
• Planet 4 has an axis of rotation A and rotates on itself around this axis of rotation A.
• the axis of rotation A passes through two points on planet 4, which are two diametrically opposite points on planet 4.
• the planet 4 is for example Earth.
• the first observation satellite 6 is in motion relative to the surface of the planet 4 and observes at a given instant a first observation area 10, this first observation area 10 (the swath) moving on the surface of planet 4 along a trajectory 1 1 which is projected from the orbit of the first observation satellite on the surface of the planet.
• Each first observation zone 10 observed by the first observation satellite 6 is observed with a frequency called the revisit frequency. Due to the rotation of planet 4, the first observation satellite 6 does not pass back over the same observation areas with each revolution of the first observation satellite around the planet.
• the first observation satellite 6 moves in a substantially polar low orbit, ie located in a plane containing the axis of rotation A or making a small angle with the axis of rotation A.
• the frequency of revisit is then a multiple of the frequency of rotation of the first observation satellite 6 around planet 4.
• the first observation satellite 6 moves in a non-polar low orbit, for example of the equatorial or other type.
• the second observation satellite 8 is stationary relative to the surface of planet 4, and continuously observes the second fixed observation area 12 of planet 4.
• the second observation satellite 8 rotates around planet 4 at the same speed as the rotation of planet 4 around its axis of rotation A.
• the orbit of the second observation satellite 8 is located for example in an equatorial plane.
• the first observation satellite 6 acquires first observation data 16 and the second observation satellite 8 acquires second observation data 18.
• the first observation data 16 and the second observation data 18 are for example of different types. Alternatively, they can be of the same type.
• the first observation 16 allow for example to detect a first type of phenomenon and the second observation data 18 allow to detect a second type of phenomenon distinct or identical to the first type of phenomenon.
• the phenomena of the first type and of the second type are preferably linked.
• related type phenomena is meant that the occurrence of a phenomenon of the first type in an area can be accompanied by the occurrence of a phenomenon of the second type in that same area.
• the satellite observation system 2 comprises a computer 30 configured to execute a prediction algorithm 32 implemented by computer.
• the computer 30 comprises for example a processor 34 and a memory 36 in which the prediction algorithm 32 is stored, the prediction algorithm 32 having code instructions executable by the processor 34 and configured to carry out an observation method when the algorithm is executed by the processor 34.
• the satellite observation system 2 comprises a database 38 in which reference observation data are recorded.
• the reference observation data includes, for example, first reference observation data and / or second reference observation data.
• the first reference observation data and / the second reference observation data contained in the database 38 have been acquired by the first observation satellite 6, the second observation satellite 8, and / or one or several other observation satellites of the satellite observation system 2, each of these other satellites being configured to collect first observation data and / or second observation data.
• the database 38 is supplied with observation data by the first observation satellite 6, the second observation satellite 8 and / or by other satellites configured to acquire the same types of observation data.
• the reference observation data comprise joint reference observations 40, each joint reference observation 40 comprising first reference observation data 42 and second reference observation data 44 acquired jointly, ie in the same period. temporal joint observation and for the same joint observation zone.
• the joint observation time period is a duration which is a function of the speed of variation of the observed phenomena. This period can be very short - 1 second - for rapid natural phenomena (for example for gusts of wind) to a few minutes (clouds), a few hours or even days in the case of slower phenomena (for example erosion), to years (for example variation of the magnetic field of the planet).
• the first reference observation data 42 and the second reference observation data 44 of each joint reference observation 40 have been acquired jointly by the first observation satellite 6 and the second observation satellite 8, or by d other observation satellites of the satellite observation system 2, each of these other satellites being configured to collect first observation data and / or second observation data.
• the database 38 is supplied with joint observations by the first observation satellite 6 and the second observation satellite 8 and / or by other satellites configured to acquire the same types of data. observation.
• the prediction algorithm 32 is configured to implement an observation method from first observation data 16 acquired by the first observation satellite 6 and / or from second observation data 18 acquired by the second satellite observation 8.
• the observation process includes:
• second predicted observation data 48 for a second area of interest and a second time period during which the area of interest has not been observed by the second observation satellite, as a function of first observation data 16 acquired by the first observation satellite 6 for the second area of interest and during said second time period, and reference observation data previously recorded in the database 38, for example as a function joint reference observations 40.
• first predicted observation data 46 and / or of second predicted observation data 48 is based for example on machine learning carried out by the predictive algorithm 32 from reference observation data in the database.
• data 38 for example as a function of the joint reference observations 40 previously recorded in the database 38.
• the multitude of reference observations prerecorded in the database 38 makes it possible to predict which first observation data and / or which second observation data could have been observed in an area of interest and in a given time period when the these first observation data and / or these second observation data for the area of interest are not available, or at least not completely.
• joint pre-recorded reference observations 40 make it possible, by machine learning, to know what type of first observation data should be observed in the presence of second observation data 18 acquired by the second observation satellite 8 in the period in time, to know what type of second observation data should be observed in the presence of first observation data 16 acquired by the first observation satellite 6 in the time period considered, and / or to predict which first data of observation should be observed by the first observation satellite 6 in an area of interest based on initial observation data acquired by the first observation satellite 6 in nearby observation areas.
• the observation method comprises for example the calculation of first observation data 46 predicted for a first area of interest 50 and a first time period during which the first area of interest 50 has not been observed by the first satellite of observation 6, no first observation data 16 acquired by the first observation satellite 6 is therefore not available for the time period considered.
• the prediction algorithm 32 provides first observation data 46 predicted.
• the prediction algorithm 32 associated with the database 38 containing joint reference observations 40 thus makes it possible to predict what could have been observed by the first observation satellite 6 in the first area of interest 50 and in the first time period considered during which the first observation satellite 6 did not observe this first area of interest 50.
• the first observation satellite 6 successively observes a series of first observation zones 10 distributed over the surface of the planet along the trajectory of the first observation satellite 6.
• the second observation satellite 8 continuously observes the second observation area 12 fixed on the surface of the planet 4 observed.
• the first observation satellite 6 observes for example two successive observation bands 52 separated by an unobserved band 54 which is not observed by the first observation satellite 6 during the time period separating the observations from the two observation bands observation 52 successive.
• the distance between the two successive observation bands 52 can correspond to the rotation of the planet 4 observed between the two passages of the first observation satellite 6.
• the observation method implemented by the prediction algorithm 32 makes it possible to predict first predicted observation data 46 corresponding to what could have been observed by the first observation satellite 16, as a function of the second observation data 18 acquired by the second observation satellite 8 during the time period considered.
• a prediction can be made for first areas of interest 50 located in the second fixed observation area 12 and which have not been observed by the first observation satellite 6 during successive passages from the first observation satellite 6 to above this second observation area 12, so as to predict first predicted observation data 46 for these first areas of interest 50 and thus to reconstruct first observation data 16, 46 acquired or predicted for the set of the second fixed observation area 12.
• first observation satellite 6 does not cover the whole of the second observation area 12 in a determined time period, it is possible to obtain first observation data 16, 46 acquired or predicted for the whole of the second fixed observation area 12.
• the frequency of acquisition of the first observation data 16 by the first observation satellite 6 is such that two first observation areas 10 observed successively by the first observation satellite 6 along its traveling orbit is spaced by a first area of interest 50 not observed by the first observation satellite 6 in the first time period located between the observations of the first two successive observation areas 10.
• the first observation satellite 6 observes the planet surface 4 by acquiring first observation data 16 for a succession of first discrete observation zones 10 alternating with non-observed zones, during the same revolution of the first observation satellite 6 around planet 4.
• first data 16 by the first observation satellite 6 is temporarily interrupted, so that there is a first non-observed area of interest 50 separating two first observation areas 10 observed successively by the first observation satellite 6 during the same revolution of the first observation satellite 6 around the planet 4.
• the observation method comprises the calculation of first predicted observation data 46 for a first area of interest 50 located between two first observation areas 10 successively observed by the first observation satellite 6 during the same revolution of the first observation satellite 6 around the planet 4, the first area of interest 50 not having been observed by the first observation satellite 6.
• the observation method alternatively or optionally computes the first predicted observation data 46 for a first area of interest 51 which is located in the second observation area 12, which was not observed by the first observation satellite 6 during a first time period during which the first observation satellite 6 observed first observation areas 10 located in the second observation area 12, the first area of interest 51 not being located in any of the alignments of first observation zones 10 of the successive passages of the first observation satellite 6 above the second observation zone in the first time period.
• the first observation zones 10 are situated along lines corresponding to the successive passages of the first observation satellite 6 above the second observation zone 12, the first zone of interest 51 being situated outside these lines.
• the observation method thus makes it possible, by combining first areas of interest 50 and 51 to reconstruct what the first observation satellite 6 would have observed during a determined time period over a large area for which the first observation satellite 6 has acquired first observation data 16 only in first observation zones 10 situated in the extended zone while being spaced from one another.
• the first observation satellite 6 observes first observation areas 10 which are located outside the second fixed observation area 12 observed continuously by the second observation satellite 8, and for which the second observation satellite 8 does not acquire first observation data 18.
• the observation method comprises the calculation of second predicted observation data 48 for a second area of interest 55, 57 not observed by the second observation satellite 8 during a second time period considered, in function:
• an area of interest 55 may coincide with an observation area 10 of the first observation satellite 6 observed by the latter during the second time period, in which case the second predicted observation data 46 are calculated as a function of first observation data acquired for the area of interest 55, or an area of interest 57 may be distinct from the observation areas 10 of the first observation satellite 6 observed by the latter during the second time period .
• the first observation satellite 6 acquires first observation data 16 for first observation areas 10 which are located in an extended area 60.
• the first observation areas observation 10 are here aligned along parallel observation lines 62 corresponding to successive passages of the first observation satellite 6 above the extended area 60.
• the observation lines 62 are spaced from one another.
• the first observation zones 10 of each observation line 62 are spaced (as illustrated) or contiguous.
• the observation method comprises the calculation of first predicted observation data 46 for at least one area of interest 64 adjacent to one or more observation areas 10 and for the time period considered, as a function first observation data 16 acquired by the first satellite and reference observation data previously recorded in the database 38.
• the reference observation data previously recorded in the database 38 and taken into account for the calculation of the first predicted observation data 46 are exclusively first reference observation data.
• the database 38 can comprise only first reference observation data.
• the reference observation data previously recorded in the database 38 and taken into account for the calculation of the first predicted observation data 46 comprise first observation data of reference and second reference observation data. This makes it possible to have more data which allows better learning.
• the reference observation data previously recorded in the database 38 and taken into account for the calculation of the first predicted observation data 46 include or are made up of joint reference observations 40. This supports learning and the reliability of prediction.
• This calculation is carried out in particular without taking into account the second observation data 18 acquired by the second observation satellite 8 during the same time period as the first observation data 16 acquired for the first observation areas 10.
• the extended area 60 is for example disjoined from the second observation area 12.
• joint reference observation data 40 in particular associated with machine learning, makes it possible to predict first predicted observation data 46 for areas of interest not observed only from first data d 'acquired observations 16 for adjacent observation zones 10.
• the method makes it possible to reconstruct first observation data for the extended area 60 from first observation data acquired for first observation areas 10 located in the extended area 60 and covering only part of the extended area 60.
• the first observation satellite 6 and the second observation satellite 8 each comprise one or more sensors configured to acquire the observation data.
• the first observation data 16 is acquired by at least one radar sensor 56 on board the first observation satellite 6, for example a synthetic aperture radar sensor.
• the first observation data 16 make it possible to determine a wind field at the surface of the planet.
• a radar sensor in particular a synthetic aperture radar sensor makes it possible for example to determine the surface condition of a body of water, for example the sea, which makes it possible to deduce the direction and / or the force of the winds circulating on the surface of this body of water.
• the second observation data 18 are provided by at least one image sensor 58 on board the second observation satellite 8.
• Each image sensor 58 can operate in any wavelength range.
• Each image sensor 58 operates for example in one or more wavelength ranges among the visible wavelengths, the infrared wavelengths and the microwaves.
• the second observation data 18 make it possible to determine the presence of meteorological phenomena in the atmosphere.
• a meteorological phenomenon is characterized for example by the shape, the dimensions, the speed of variation of the shape and / or the speed of variation of the dimensions of clouds present in the atmosphere above the observed area.
• the joint reference observations 40 crossing the first observation data 42 for winds and the second observation data 44 relating to meteorological phenomena make it possible to associate the winds with the meteorological phenomena which generate them.
• first observation data 16 relating to the winds acquired by the first observation satellite 6 in a second area of interest 55 and in a second time period for which the second satellite Observation 8 did not provide second observation data 18.
• the planet observed is Earth.
• the first observation satellite is for example an observation satellite of the SENTINEL, TerraSAR, CloudSat ... type and / or the second observation satellite is for example an observation satellite of the Meteosat, Himawari type , Goes ...
• the invention is not limited to the observation of winds and meteorological phenomena on the surface of the Earth.
• the invention applies to other observable phenomena, for example phenomena of coastal erosion or mountain ranges, the evolution of vegetation, the type of soil, phenomena and waves of seismic origins, changes altitude of land by compaction, collapse or irruption, etc, and this on the surface or inside the Earth or any other planet.
• the first observation data and / or the second observation data make it possible, for example, to determine variations in atmospheric compositions, variations on the surface or inside the planet and variations in electric fields. , electromagnetic, gravitic and quantum, whatever the wavelengths.
• the duration of the temporal period of joint observation is for example between one second (gust of winds, seismic waves) to several hours (wet surfaces), to several days ( vegetation, erosion, land elevation changes by settlement, collapse or eruption) or years (variation of magnetic fields for example).
• the invention is based on machine learning from reference observation data previously recorded in the database 38.
• These reference observation data may include first reference observation data, second data of reference observation and / or joint reference observations.
• each calculation step is performed as a function of first reference observation data, second reference observation data and / or joint reference observations.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Astronomy & Astrophysics (AREA)
• Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
• Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
• Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
• Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
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• 2018
  • 2018-07-19 FR FR1856711A patent/FR3084059B1/fr active Active
• 2019
  • 2019-07-17 EP EP19758899.9A patent/EP3823900A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
  • 2019-07-17 CN CN201980048421.2A patent/CN112638776A/zh active Pending
  • 2019-07-17 CA CA3106745A patent/CA3106745A1/fr active Pending
  • 2019-07-17 BR BR112021000872-1A patent/BR112021000872A2/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2019-07-17 JP JP2021525370A patent/JP2021531480A/ja active Pending
  • 2019-07-17 WO PCT/EP2019/069264 patent/WO2020016309A1/fr unknown
  • 2019-07-17 MX MX2021000724A patent/MX2021000724A/es unknown
  • 2019-07-17 MA MA053174A patent/MA53174A/fr unknown
  • 2019-07-17 US US17/261,395 patent/US20210261274A1/en active Pending
  • 2019-07-17 AU AU2019306118A patent/AU2019306118A1/en not_active Abandoned
• 2021
  • 2021-01-17 IL IL280226A patent/IL280226A/en unknown

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