USING The Simulation Toolset for Adaptive Remote Sensing (STARS) TO EXPLORE A TRADESPACE OF New observing strategies

Abstract:

NASA’s New Observing Strategies (NOS) thrust seeks to develop a framework for exploiting new technologies and observational strategies for Earth remote sensing. The emergence of new instruments on Smallsats, CubeSats, and commercial space platforms allows the measurement of phenomena that could not be studied using previously available observational techniques. Achieving the vision of the NOS will require the ability to model future sensing systems containing adaptive, autonomous, and collaborative elements operating under the resource constraints of small satellite platforms. In response to these needs, the Simulation Toolset for Adaptive Remote Sensing (STARS) software-as-a-service is being developed to support next generation mission design studies. The simulation capabilities address multiple emerging technologies that offer clear benefits for enhancing future remote sensing systems, including adapting the parameters of a sensor in real-time to optimize measurements, optimizing sensor and platform operations to conserve limited power and data resources, and improving capabilities for communicating information among a constellation of sensors to guide operations and modes. When several simulations are compared, one can explore tradeoffs among differing mission designs in order to quantify the benefit of sensor adaptivity, collaborative communication, and resource management. Example science application cases simulated using STARS will illustrate how this tool could benefit the Earth science community in assessing NOS systems.