Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XXVIII

Many new remote sensing programs are under way throughout the world, in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and elsewhere. NASA's Earth Science Division is developing and implementing a broad range of Earth spaceborne remote sensing missions to answer fundamental scientific questions requiring the view from space and to meet societal needs. These include missions and new program elements from the National Research Council’s Earth Science Decadal Survey, missions and selected instruments to assure continuity of long-term key data sets, missions to ensure sustained land imaging provided by the Landsat system, and small-sized competitively-selected small satellite and constellation missions and instruments belonging to the Earth Venture Program.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is developing and operating the ALOS series, GOSAT series, GCOM series, GPM/DPR, EarthCARE/CPR and ISS/MOLI series of programmes.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is developing and implementing a wide range of Earth Observation missions, encompassing the Earth Explorer missions addressing key scientific issues, as well as operational missions including the Copernicus Sentinels in partnership with the European Union (EU), and the meteorological missions in partnership with the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). A number of new remote sensing programmes are also under development by other organisations and nations for research and operational use. Many of the above are contributing to the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) as envisioned by the intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations (GEO). Each of these programs comprises a set of remote sensing systems to address their science and applications objectives.

Papers are solicited on the following and related topics:

• sensors being developed
• satellites being developed
• enabling technologies for sensors and satellites
• new design concepts for sensors, systems and satellites
• hyperspectral sensors
• sensor calibration techniques
• in-situ sensor measurement assimilation
• modeling and simulation techniques for sensor concept development
• focal plane assemblies including detectors and spectral filters
• future LIDAR missions
• system precursors including test beds and airborne simulators
• data systems being developed
• new data processing techniques (applications to Big Data and remote sensing, sensor and data interoperability).
• quantum technologies for applications in earth remote sensing from space
• innovative optical technologies for Earth remote sensing payloads from space.

Sessions on the following topics are being planned:

• Japanese missions and technologies
• European missions and technologies
• US missions and technologies
• small satellites (nano/cubesats, microsats) and constellations for Earth observation
• NASA Decadal Survey Designated Observable (DO), Venture Continuity, and Incubation studies
• commercial Earth observing constellations
• UAV systems for Earth observation
• sensor calibration
• focal plane technologies.