Department of Space (DOS),Government of India has aglorious history of havinglaunched a series of satellites forEarth’s resource managementand monitoring. These satelliteshave been very successful inproviding data in various scalesranging from 1:1Million upto1:12,500 scale.

Each of the IRS Missionsensured data continuity whileintroducing improvements in the spatial,spectral and radiometric resolutions.Hitherto, the best spatial resolution offeredfrom the IRS satellites is 5.8m in bothPanchromatic and multispectral mode.

There is now an increasing demand forlarge scale and topographic mapping. Tomeet this requirement. DOS has launchedthe Cartosat-1 satellite which is dedicatedto stereo viewing for large scale mappingand terrrain modelling applications.

Globally there are many satellite systemswhich provide high resolution data to meetthe requirements for geo-engineering andcartographic applications. The Cartosat-1satellite has a number of advantages overthese systems in that it provides highresolution near-instantaneousstereo data with a spatialresolution of 2.5m and 10bitquantization.The Cartosat-1carries two Panchromaticcameras, which generatestereoscopic image of the areaalong the track.

Path n-1 Path n

Scene of Pth Day

Scene of P + 11th Day

Trace of Orbit N

Trace of Orbit N +1

Along track stereo viewing

Ground Trace Pattern

Cartosat - 1

Introduction

Cartosat-1 is a global mission. The nominallife of the mission is planned to be fiveyears. The satellite was launched by theindigenously built Polar Satellite LaunchVehicle (PSLV - C5). The satellite coversthe entire globe in 1867 orbits with arepetivity of 126 days. Adjacent paths arecovered with a separation of eleven days.

21.46 km

Equator

2704.5 km

6761831051 45 23 1

12345678507294116

Day No.

Orbit No.2 1543 1217 891 1327653979

728 1142 816 490 164105413801706

S.No Parameter Specifications

Orbit

Orbital Altitude

Orbits / cycle

Semi Major Axis

Eccentricity

Inclination

Local Time

Revisit

Repetition

Orbits / day

Orbital Period 97 minutes

14

126 days

5 days

10:30 AM

97.87 o

0.001

6996.14 km

1867

618 km

Polar Sun Synchronous01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

Orbit and coverage pattern

Orbit and Coverage

Orbit Specifications

Payload

The Cartosat-1 satellite has twopanchromatic cameras with 2.5 m spatialresolution, to acquire two imagessimultaneously, one forward looking (FORE)at +26 degrees and one aft of the satelliteat -5 degrees for near instantaneous stereodata.The time difference between theacquisitions of the same scene by the two

Row m+1

Row m Row m

Row m+1

Path n Path n + 1

26.8 km(10500 lines)

26.8 km (12000 pixels)

23.5 km

1.3 km

Stereo Scene Layout

swath images of 55 km are obtained by thecameras. The spacecraft also has a facilityto provide various pitch-biases to vary thelook angle conditions of the stereo pair.

S.No Parameter Specifications

Swath

IGFOV

Fore

Aft

Fore

Aft

Ground sample distance

Spectral band

Quantisation

Number of detectors

Pixel size

Integration time

Focal length

Data rate per Camera

Data compression Ratio

Type of compression

Data rate transmitted toground

105 Mbps/camera

JPEG

3.22:1(nominal)depends on terrain

336 Mbps

1945 mm

0.336 ms

7 x 7 micron

12 K

10 bits (1024)

0.5 – 0.85 microns

2.54 m (Along Track)

2.187 m (Across track)

2.452 m (Across track)

26.24 km

29.42 km01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

13

cameras is about 52 seconds. Thespacecraft body is steerable tocompensate the earth rotation effectand to force both Fore and Aftcameras to look at the same groundstrip when operated in stereo mode.Simultaneous stereo pairacquisitions are of great advantagesince the radiometric parameters ofthe images will be identical. Thestereo pairs have a swath of 26 kmand a fixed B/H ratio of 0.62. Apartfrom the stereo mode, the satelliteis also equipped to operate in thewide swath mode. When operatedin this mode the satellite can bemaneuvered such that image stripswill fall side by side so that wider

Roll tilt capability

The satellite covers the same area in aspecified interval of 126 days.Cartosat-1’sroll tilt capability can be used to increasethis viewing frequency, which varies withlatitude. The revisit capability at equator is5 days.

Payload Specifications

Data Handling system

The data rate requirement for 2.5 mresolution system is about 336 Mbps for a10 bit quantization. This high bit data iscompressed by 3.2:1 by JPEG compressiontechnique. A spherical Phased ArrayAntenna with steerable beam is used totransmit the data to the required groundstation. A solid state recorder with 120 Gbcapacity to store about 9 minutes of Payloaddata is available for global operation of thepayloads.

9.6 o

22 o

Path 1

56 45 34 23 12 116 105 94 83 72 61 5039

2817

6121

1

Day Number

Cartosat - 1 Products

Cartosat-1 data products are of twocategories.

* Standard product (radiometricallycorrected, georeferenced)* Precision product (ortho rectifiedproduct)

Standard products are generated afteraccounting for radiometric and geometricdistortions while precision products areortho rectified. Ortho rectified products arecorrected for terrain distortions and cameratilt effects with the help of control pointsand using Stereo Strip Triangulation (SST)based DEM (only for Indian region). AllCartosat -1 data products are supplied with10 bit radiometry for both PAN Fore and Aftcameras.

Area of Interest (AOI) based

standard products

One or more scenes covering the user’sarea of interest, specified as a singlepolygon in the form of an ESRI shapefile,are provided as tiled products (notmosaiced). The user-specified polygon(order polygon) is padded outside with extrabuffer distance to ensure the area coverage,considering the accuracy specifications ofthe system corrected product. The modifiedpolygon boundaries are used to define eachconstituent full/sub-scene product. Thedifferent tiles are not radiometricallymatched. The minimum order area is 25 kmx 25 km. The location accuracy of theseproducts is better than 250m. All AOI basedproducts are provided as digital products(CD/DVD) only. AOI products are availablefor only radiometrically corrected or Geo-referenced data.

Standard Products

S. No Type of Product Correction applied

Radiometrically corrected/ Basic Stereo

Standard Georeferenced

Orthokit products(Mono / Stereo)

Ortho product

Stagger corrections, line loss corrections, radiometric correction at scene level

Radiometric and geometric corrections (north-oriented) at scene level using System knowledge

Radiometric corrections along with Rational Polynomial Coefficients (RPCs)

Terrain corrected products using TCPs and DEM from SST software (only forIndian region)

01

02

03

04

Outline of AOI Product (Multiple Scenes)

Standard Products Specifications

Orthokit Products

S. No Area Coverage(Scene based / Float)

Level of Processing

Digital dataFormat Media

Accuracy specifications

Location Accuracy

InternalDistortion

01

02

03

04

Scene/floatMono/Stereo*

Scene/float(Mono/Stereo) *

Scene/float(Mono) *

Scene/floatMono *, AOI §

RAD

RAD

Standard §CorrectionsApplied ##

StandardCorrectionsApplied #

LGSOWG

LGSOWG*GeoTIFFFast Format

GeoTIFF

Orthokit ###

CD-ROM/DVD/Disk

CD-ROM/DVD/Disk

CD-ROM/DVD/Disk

CD-ROM/DVD

250m

250m

250m

250m

Terraindependent

Terraindependent

Terraindependent

Terraindependent

Basic stereopair

RAD productwith RPC file

Geo - Referencedproduct

Geo - Referencedproduct

# Includes AOI## All standard corrections products are Geo-Referenced.### Include RPC file and Meta file.§ Minimum area of AOI is 25*25 Sq km, supplied with Meta file.* Restricted Area Masking is done, wherever required.

Remarks

Ortho kit products are supplied with onlyradiometric corrections. A file consisting ofthe rational polynomial coefficients (RPC)is also provided for further processing atuser’s end. An orthokit product consists ofan image file (GeoTIFF format), an RPC file(text file) and a metadata file.

Orthokit products facilitate the user toproduce high precision products by usingcontrol points / external DEM in thecommercially available off-the-shelf (COTS)software. It is recommended to use softwarepackages, certified by Department of Space,for better results.

Stereo Products

Scene based stereo products are suppliedwith only radiometric corrections. Stereodata are supplied as digital products only.These products can be supplied inLGSOWG format and in GeoTIFF formatwith RPCs.

In the case of stereo data in LGSOWGformat, radiometrically corrected data fromboth Fore and Aft cameras are provided.Stereo data in GeoTIFF format comprise ofradiometrically corrected data from bothFore and Aft cameras and an RPC file.

These products facilitate the user toproduce high precision products and extractdigital elevation models (DEM). The locationaccuracy of the products is better than250m. It is recommended to use softwarepackages, certified by Department of Space,for better results.

Precision geo-referenced products

These are mosaiced and ortho rectifiedproducts. These products can be suppliedwith different area coverages – 7 ½’ x 7 ½’(both Survey of India (SOI) mapsheet basedand floating), 5’ x 5’, 3.75’ x 3.75’ and 2.25’x 2.25’. All these products are supplied as asingle product. Best efforts are made toprovide the data with seamless radiometryin case the area is covered on two differentdates.The location accuracy of theseproducts will be better than 25m. For globalusers, these products can be supplied withthe help of GCPs provided by the user.

S. No Area Coverage Level of Processing

Digital dataFormat Media

Accuracy specifications

Location Accuracy

InternalDistortion

01

02

03

04

Mapsheet based/Float7.5’ * 7.5’ *

Float5’ * 5’ *

Float3.75’ * 3.75’ *

Float2.25’ * 2.25’ *

Precision(ortho)Terrain corrected

Precision(ortho)Terrain corrected

Precision(ortho)Terrain corrected

Precision(ortho)Terrain corrected

GeoTIFF

GeoTIFF

GeoTIFF

GeoTIFF

CD-ROM

CD-ROM

CD-ROM

CD-ROM

Using DEM and TCPs

Using DEM and TCPs

Using DEM and TCPs

Using DEM and TCPs

Around 10m

Around 10m

Around 10m

Around 10m

All the Geocoded products ortho corrected.

* Restricted Area Masking is done, wherever required.

Remarks

Note:

25m<=

25m<=

25m<=

25m<=

Precision (Ortho) Products

Services

Various services provided include :

1. On-line Digital browse facility2. On-line data ordering facility3. On-line Payload programming

request placing facility4. Data dissemination in near real-time

through network

On-line Digital browse facility

The on-line digital browse service facilitateseasy location and selection of availabledata. Data availability can be queried basedon AOI, city name, Survery of Indiamapsheet, polygon, district name, statename, location on a map or by inputting ashape file. This facility can be used as astand-alone service or as an integral part ofthe on-line data ordering facility.

http://www.nrsa.gov.in

On-line data ordering facility

This facility enables the user to placerequests for products on-line based on thethe type of product required. Users need tospecify their area of interest in terms ofpoint, Survery of India mapsheet, polygon,district name, state name, location on a mapor by inputting a shape file; period of interestand type of product. Browse images whichmeet the user input are fetched andpresented to the user. Users can select thescenes which suit their requirement andsave the details. Users can view the list ofscenes selected and the correspondinggraphic display.

In addition to on-line ordering, this facilityenables the users to get information on theirproduct status and accounts status.

http://www.nrsa.gov.in

On-line Payload programming

request placing system

The existing data may not cover the user’sarea of interest, may be cloudy or ortherwisenot meet the user’s requirement. In suchcases, users can request for programmed

http://www.nrsa.gov.in

Digital Browse Queries

Data dissemination in near

real-time throught network

In order to deliver data within a few hoursof acquisition a web based ftp site ismaintained which enables the user to download the data using Internet. The user isgiven an account based on user name andpassword. All the users who want to availthis facility should be registered with NDC.

As the data to be transferred is voluminous,it takes a long time for the transfer. Thereforeprovision exists to compress the data andput on the net. Option to select the ratio ofcompression and the software to be usedfor compression is given to the user whileplacing the order.

How to avail these facilities ?

Users can avail these facilities by registeringthemselves with the services. All theservices are made available without anyservice fees.

data. Such requests also can be placed on-line. A request placed for payloadprogramming, is first checked for feasibilityof acquisition and a proposal is sent to theuser. On obtaining the user confirmation,data are programmed and acquired.Acquisition plan is prepared based on thepriority of the request and cloud coverconditions of the area requested. Onsuccessful aquisition, data are generatedafter user confirmation. A maximum of threeattempts are made within the requestedperiod. Users can view the proposal andrequest the status on-line.

The registration is done offline. The usersneed to write to NDC or mail to NDC forregistering themselves. While ordering thedata, the user needs to specify whether thedata has to be transferred through net ornot. As soon as the data are uploaded tothe ftp server, the user gets a mail with hispassword. The user needs to key in thepassword while downloading the data.

On-line User Services

Cartosat - 1 Data Distribution

Various sources of Cartosat-1data world-wide are as follows :

1. Indian users and users from neighbouringcountries covered by Indian ground station,can procure Cartosat -1 data products fromNDC.

2. International users can get Cartosat-1data products from the following source :

Antrix Corporation Ltd.Antariksh Bhavan, New BEL Road,Bangalore - 560 094,Karnataka, India

e-mail : antrix@bgl.vsnl.net.inPhone : +91 80 2341 6274

: +91 80 2217 2189Fax : +91 80 2341 8981Web site : www.antrix.org

4. It is possible to provide raw data for theuser specified areas and period of interestalong with the data processing software.This concept is known as virtual station. Forsuch data requirements, users can contactAntrix corporation.

For specific information on availability of anIGS or data of a particular location, usersmay contact Antrix Corporation Ltd. - thecommercial wing of DOS.

3. IRS International Ground Stationsoperating in various parts of the World.

Data down link access

Antrix Corporation Ltd., Department ofSpace, is responsible for data distributionoutside the Indian visibility cone. For datadown link access, users can contact AntrixCorporation Ltd.

Upgradation / Establishment ofGround Station

Antrix Corporation Ltd. has the requiredexpertise to upgrade the existing groundstation having X-band (8 to 8.4 GHz)reception capability to receive Cartosat-1data or set up an entirely new reception and

General terms and conditions of

supply of data products

Orders

The order will be entertained only when therequired information is furnished in full andpayment made in advance. Once the orderis processed, NDC sends a confirmationcopy to the purchaser. Order onceprocessed and confirmed cannot beamended or cancelled unless technicalproblems are encountered during datageneration. NDC reserves the right torefuse/cancel any order in full or part.

Price

The price applicable to each order is theone in effect on the date of confirmation ofthe order at NDC. NDC publishes a pricelist of data products at periodic intervals.

Payments

For continued operation, a standing accountcan be opened by users by depositing asuitable amount. The user may add to thebalance or obtain a refund of the balance atany time. Processing of data at any time will

All orders must be accompanied by fulladvance payment for processing to beinitiated.

For Indian users, payment may be made bydemand draft in Rupees payable to NationalRemote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad –500 037, Andhra Pradesh, India.

For foreign users, within the Indian groundstation coverage payment may by be madeby telecredit in US$ payable to ANZGRINDLAYS BANK, Account no Madras001313.0001 chips 232293 for credit toNRSA, Hyderabad. India.

be limited to the balance amount in user’saccount. Same organisation/individual canopen more than one account if required.

Conditions of sale

All products are sold for the sole use ofpurchasers and shall not be loaned, copiedor exported without express permission andonly in accordance with terms andconditions if any, agreed with the NRSA DataCentre, National Remote Sensing Agency,Dept. of Space, Govt. of India.

Complaints and inspection

No complaint related to the quality and/orquantity of the products will be entertainedunless the complaint is lodged at NDC within30 days from the date of despatch. Onacceptance of the complaint, products canbe returned after confirmation by NDC. Ifthe rejections are accepted by NDC, allattempts will be made to provide similar/equivalent data products.

The purchaser is responsible for any use ofthe data products purchased form NDC,which has no liability or responsibility forthe fitness of the products for any particularuse. Consequently, the purchaser waivesall claims against NDC.

In general, all the data products will bedespatched by registered insured post/airparcel. Products can be despatched byCourier service/speed post or through FTPsite as specific request and at NDC’sdiscretion.

Supply of data products on the price list aregoverned by these general terms. Nocontrary terms or conditions of thepurchaser are binding on the NRSA DataCentre. Completed order form and paymentmay be mailed to:

processing facility. Antrix shall announcefrom time to time other agencies authorisedto provide reception capability forCartosat-1.

NRSA Data CentreNational Remote Sensing AgencyBalanagar, Hyderabad – 500 037.Phone:040 – 23878560, 23884423,23884424Fax :040 – 23878664/23878158E.mail : sales@nrsa.gov.inWeb site: www.nrsa.gov.in

Cartosat - 1 Image - Adana, Turkey