PHAROS Preparation and Processing of aerial imagery for the pilot demonstration (D7.1)

The present report documents the outcome of the work carried out in the context of Task 7.1 (Preparation and processing of optical and infrared imagery for pilot). The main objectives of this task are:

• Define the relevant sensors to be used during the pilot demonstration
• Define the different images to be acquired during the pilot demonstration and the products to be integrated in the PHAROS platform
• Define and select the means to perform the acquisition of images
• Describe the integration means to be implemented for the short and long term
• Carry out the planning of the flight campaign for the PHAROS pilot demonstration
• Perform the corresponding tests for the transmission of real time data to the control centre during the pilot demonstration

The original objective of Task 7.1 was to perform the preparation of an optical link to download data from the BiROS satellite to a Transportable Optical Ground Station (TOGS) and perform its integration within the PHAROS platform. However, the delayed launch of the BiROS satellite, has not allowed the project team to perform the foreseen activities in this area, as announced during the PHAROS First Review Meeting. Therefore, the scope of the task has been updated in order to overcome this issue.

In order to overcome the lack of real time data for monitoring the forest fire during the pilot demonstration, the possibility of using aerial imagery in combination with data from the Data Warehouse (DWH) had been considered as a backup solution at the early stages of the project. The provision of aerial images in the control centre had been highlighted by end users as one important asset in order to estimate the impact and the evolution of the crisis during the different meetings with the members of the Advisory Board and local end users. In addition to that, the possibility of using thermal sensors was also highlighted as a means to better characterise the fire under consideration and also to analyse the area in the post- disaster phase (late response phase and recovery).

In order to perform the acquisition of the aerial images, cooperation with the VABENE++ project has been established. The main objective of VABENE++ is the management of traffic for large scale events and disasters. With this cooperation, it has been possible to analyse the VABENE++ performance in completely different scenarios and estimate the  added values that this type of tools could bring to a pre-operational system like PHAROS.

The cooperation with VABENE++ and the insertion of aerial means for the performance of the pilot demonstration has triggered a series of activities which have been carried out in the context of this Task and also within Task 2.6 (Technical management). In particular, one of the major issues to overcome has been the selection of the aerial means to perform the image acquisition (which has been strongly influenced by the availability of the mentioned means, the cost and the necessity of performing additional certification processes for the equipment to be mounted) and the coordination of the flight campaign to support the pilot demonstration.

As a major outcome of the work performed within Task 7.1 and documented in this deliverable, aerial images have been acquired and integrated within the service platform in order to support end users during the pilot demonstration. The work performed within this task has been focused on the preparation of the image acquisition (selection of sensors and data to be acquired, definition of the products to be provided, definition of the architecture to be implemented, preparation of the logistics for image acquisition and test of the corresponding modules). In addition to that, the satellite data from the DWH used and gathered during the pilot demonstration is documented in the deliverable for completeness.