Through the Eyes of NovaSAR-1: DOST-ASTI’s SAR with AIS Project
NovaSAR-1 on Test (Photo Credits: Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.)
In August 2019, the agreement between the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) equipped us with the data tasking and acquisition services of NovaSAR-1, a small Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite with an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver.
The mobilization of services from the NovaSAR-1 for the Philippines started August 28, operationalizing the distribution of SAR and AIS data to various government agencies and enabling the conduct of research on applications for terrestrial monitoring, maritime surveillance, and other applications.
What does this mean for the Philippines?
The NovaSAR-1 translates to roughly 3 minutes - or a scope of 81,600 sq. km. using the scanning SAR (ScanSAR) mode - of imaging per day. Its pass frequency across the Philippines also amounts to four (4) times per day. Furthermore, it allows for all-day and all-weather capture, simultaneous ship detection, flood mapping, and structural identification, among others
Satellites with capabilities like the NovaSAR-1 allow our very own PEDRO Center to acquire a more robust data set when combined with information acquired from Philippine microsatellite Diwata-2, as well as open source and other commercial satellites. While the Diwata satellites specialize in cloud pattern monitoring and ocean productivity, the NovaSAR-1 is ideal for applications such as, but not limited to, maritime surveillance, ship detection identification, and oil spill monitoring.
How do we mobilize the data?
The Surveillance, Identification, and Assessment Using Satellites (SIYASAT) Portal is our home-grown system used to receive requests, distribute data, and deconflict requests from stakeholders and users from the academe, civilian organizations, and security agencies in the Philippines.
Available only to registered users, the SIYASAT Portal may be accessed through the DOST-ASTI Website. Upcoming features of the portal include AIS data visualization and the capability to develop a risk index for each vessel based on archived AIS data.
As of February 2020, the PEDRO Center, with the help of DOST-ASTI's DATOS and COARE projects, was able to acquire and analyze satellite images of the NovaSAR-1 capturing areas such as the Iloilo City Port.
For more information, visit www.asti.dost.gov.ph
The Research Team
Roel M. De La Cruz
Senior Science Research Specialist
Harold Bryan S. Paler
Senior Science Research Specialist
John Keithley L. Difuntorum
Science Research Specialist II
Julius M. Judan
Science Research Specialist I
Nash Frederic M. Prado
Science Research Specialist I
Nestor T. Olfindo, Jr.
Supervising Science Research Specialist
Joshua Frankie B. Rayo
Senior Science Research Specialist
Noel Jerome B. Borlongan
Senior Science Research Specialist
Machele M. Felicen
Senior Science Research Specialist
John Bart Lovern C. Dumalag
Science Research Specialist II
Randy C. Beros
Science Research Specialist II
Karl Louie S. Mariano
Science Research Specialist II
Marion Clarisse L. Gelido
Science Research Specialist II
Marck Ivan M. Camama
Science Research Specialist II
Darius Jude C. Casuga
Science Research Specialist I
Jonathan Christian F. Aceron
Science Research Specialist I