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FRINATEK-Fri prosj.st. mat.,naturv.,tek

Observational Pyramid with Hyperspectral Nano-Satellites for Ocean Science

Alternative title: Observasjonspyramide med hyperspektrale nanosatellitter for havforskning

Awarded: NOK 12.5 mill.

The HYPSO-1 satellite was launched into a polar orbit on 13 January 2022. The satellite is designed and operated by NTNU, and carries a hyperspectral imager that is custom made for better imaging of ocean color. Our hypothesis is that HYPSO-1 (and its successor from 2024, HYPSO-2) will enable us to observe selected areas and capture images with better resolution in space, time and visual spectrum than no other satellite today. This overall objective is to show that hyperspectral imaging from small satellites, in combination with observations from buoys, ships, drones and autonomous vehicles, provide a highly effective method to marine ecosystem research relevant from pole to pole. The project aims to demonstrate that an observational pyramid is a disruptive concept with high potential, by leveraging the HYPSO satellites and NTNU's long-term research and infrastructure within its Center of Excellence on Autonomous Marine Operations and Systems (NTNU AMOS). The project brings together a team of leading scientists with expertise in remote sensing, autonomous systems, hyperspectral imaging, small satellite systems, ocean modelling, bio-optics, bio-geo-chemistry and marine ecology. HYPSCI will offer its capabilities and exploit synergies with several ongoing research program and campaigns. Such collaborations will on one hand provide ground truth for validation of HYPSCI, and on the other hand will HYPSCI provide added value through its novel data products and research methodology. These collaborations will initially focus locally on the coastal areas of mid Norway, and our plan is then move on the coastal areas of Svalbard and Fram Strait, and later explore opportunities in Macaronesia (Azores to Cape Verde), South Africa, and Antarctica (Southern Ocean).

This overall objective is to show that hyperspectral imaging from small satellites, in combination with observations from buoys, ships and autonomous vehicles at low-altitude and in-situ, provides a highly effective approach to marine ecosystem research relevant from pole to pole and in different temporal and spatial scales. The project aims to demonstrate the potential of this disruptive concept of an observational pyramid by leveraging NTNU's unique satellites with hyperspectral imagers (HYPSO) and NTNU's long-term research and infrastructure within its Center of Excellence on Autonomous Marine Operations and Systems (AMOS). The project brings together a team of leading scientists with expertise in remote sensing, autonomous systems, hyperspectral imaging, small satellite systems, ocean modelling, bio-optics, bio-geo-chemistry and marine ecology. HYPSCI will exploit synergies ongoing research program and campaigns, including collaboration with REV Ocean, GoNorth, Nansen Legacy, the Norwegian Coastal Administration, University of Porto, and the Ocean Data Foundation. Such collaborations will on one hand provide ground truth for validation of HYPSCI, and on the other hand will HYPSCI provide added value through its novel data products. These collaborations will initially focus locally on the coastal areas of mid Norway, then move on the coastal areas of Svalbard and Fram Strait, and later explore opportunities in Macaronesia (Azores to Cape Verde), South Africa, and Antarctica (Southern Ocean).

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FRINATEK-Fri prosj.st. mat.,naturv.,tek