The Sentinel-3 satellite mission with its SRAL instrumentation contains new features compared to the conventional radar altimeter mission that form the basis for new innovative Copernicus products and applications that are not considered or implemented in the Copernicus services yet. To utilize the full potential of the new data source, new methods and processing chains need to be developed.
Also, new potential Copernicus products should be developed that utilize the improved along-track resolution over both the oceans and over land. Then new operational processing, validation and delivery mechanisms need to be developed and implemented for generating the new dynamic products. A smooth transition from old to new products is important to ensure existing services. Finally, the take-up of the new Copernicus products by the value-adding sectors needs to be stimulated and demonstrated to ensure that they will be used for commercial activities.
The objectives of the LOTUS project to prepare the take-up of data from Sentinels 3 are:
Objective 1: Processing of SRAL SAR mode waveforms over ocean.
The objective of the LOTUS project is to develop processing scheme for extracting high-resolution sea surface heights, wave heights and wind speeds from SAR mode data. Furthermore, LOTUS will apply the RDSAR technique to convert SAR mode data into LRM data to complement the open ocean LRM data sets in the coastal areas and secure seamless transitions between converted SAR mode and open ocean LRM products.
Objective 2: Processing of SRAL SAR mode waveforms over land.
The objective of the LOTUS project is to develop processing scheme for extracting high-resolution river and lake heights, soil moisture, and snow water equivalents.
Objective 3: Definition of new data products and processing chains.
Based on recent specification and development of Sentinel-3 processing chains, simplified, easy-to-use or higher-level products will be designed from the algorithms proposed in the LOTUS project. The processing chains will be specified in synergy with the Sentinel-3 ground segment and in close relationship with the Copernicus services and downstream applications likely to use these data products. Several kinds of data products and processing chains will be defined and designed, both new Level-2 data products complementing the ESA Sentinel-3 L2 data products and higher level data products. All these products will address the different surface targets of the Sentinel-3 topography measurements.
Objective 4: Production of demo data and assessment.
The objective of the LOTUS project is to prepare prototype Sentinel-3 data sets to support the development of new value-adding applications for ocean and land services, respectively. As Sentinel-3 is foreseen to be launched half way through the project the primary dataset will be Cryosat-2, however if Sentinel-3 data becomes available, adaption will be made so that these will be included where possible. Cryosat-2 SAR data and available Sentinel-3 data will be processed in specific targeted test areas to prepare prototype data sets of:
- Sea surface heights, wave heights and wind speeds,
- River and lake levels,
- Soil moisture, and
- Snow water equivalent.
Subsequently, LOTUS will assess the prototype data.
Objective 5: Applications of new GMES data in value-adding ocean services.
The objective of the LOTUS project is to develop new and improved coastal oceanographic services by utilizing the data features emerging with Sentinel-3. The services will primarily utilize the increased resolution of the SRAL SAR and place emphasis on value adding integration with complementary data such as ocean modelling, in-situ data and multiple sensors. The services are developed to have a global applicability.
Objective 6: Applications of new GMES data in value-adding land services.
The objective of the LOTUS project is to develop new and improved land services by utilizing the data features emerging with Sentinel-3. The services will be integrating different sources of information such as Earth Observation data (from different sensors and satellites), land in-situ data and also model data hydrological modelling. The services will be developed to have a global applicability and will be demonstrated in selected case study regions and targeting the following applications: Monitoring of River and lake levels, Monitoring Soil moisture, Monitoring of Snow Water Equivalent, and Contributions to climate monitoring.
Objective 7: Dissemination and exploitation.
Finally, the LOTUS project will disseminate the results obtained in the project on the use of Sentinel-3 SRAL SAR mode data as well as derived new products for Copernicus land and marine services. Effective dissemination actions are directed towards European SMEs to facilitate the exploitation of the new products in value adding applications for both ocean and land.
Furthermore, this project will disseminate the results to European services and projects contributing to the climate and climate change monitoring as well as to Copernicus services for security and emergency management.