Formosat2 Description

The VENµS mission (see Dedieu et al, this conference) will provide:

high resolution images (5m), field of view: 27 km
observations every 2-days
12 narrow spectral bands ranging from 415 nm to 910 nm
constant observation angles

To prepare Venµs algorithms, to promote the use of Venµs-like time series of images, and to train the future users of Venµs data, a data set partly similar to those of Venµs has been acquired thanks to FORMOSAT-2 satellite. FORMOSAT-2 is a Taiwanese high resolution satellite (NSPO, distribution by SPOT-IMAGE) with the following features:

high resolution images (8m), field of view: 24 km
observations possible every day (not global)
4 spectral bands (broader than Venµs) ranging from 490 to 850 nm
constant observation angles

Available data

CNES has acquired several time series of Formosat2 data for Venµs algorithms prepraration:

Images with available in-situ data:

Morocco, Temsift valley: From November 2005 to November 2006, every fourth day
South West France, Muret: From March 2006 to November 2006, every fourth day


Images without in-situ data:

Montreal, Canada: 10 images in June 2005
Cestas, France: 21 images in June and July 2005
Bardonecchia, Italy: 11 images in October and nNovember 2005

All these data may be distributed to Venµs selected users.

5 other time series have been obtained to calibrate Formosat2 against desert sites or using our automated calibration station in La Crau France. These data sets are not aimed at being distributed, but in case some users would be interested, it might be possible to discuss it with SPOT-IMAGE and NSPO.

Deserts: Libya (3 sites), Mauritania (1 site), 1 image every week, starting in May 2005.
La Crau, France: from March to October 2006, 1 image every 4th day