Device and method for simulating the estimation of a lag in producing satellite images of the earth

#The present application is a National Phase of International Application Number PCT/EP2018/069707 filed Jul. 20, 2018, which designated the U.S. and claims priority benefits from French Patent Application Number No. FR 1757161 filed Jul. 27, 2017, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

#The present invention relates to the field of satellite remote sensing. More specifically, it relates to a device and a method for simulating the estimation of a time to acquire satellite images of the Earth by optical acquisition techniques.

#The circumterrestrial space contains a number of Earth observation satellites which enable monitoring parameters of the Earth system (oceans, atmospheres, natural resources, impacts of human activities, etc.), obtaining maps, or providing information for the defense of countries. To achieve this, these systems are based on a set of satellite imaging data, meaning a set of measurements carried out using instruments on board satellites.

#Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood by reading the following description and referring to the accompanying drawings, given by way of illustration and in no way limiting.

#FIG. 1 shows a flowchart according to the invention.

#FIG. 2 shows a grid of cells over a portion of the Earth.

#For clarity, the elements shown are not to scale relative to each other unless otherwise stated.

#In the context of the description, the term “Earth observation system” is understood to mean a system comprising satellite constellations such as Landsat, SPOT, or even Pléiades. In addition, it is specified that the invention relates to optical satellite systems for which the acquisition of images of the Earth is dependent on solar illumination reflected by the ground. These systems use passive sensors to record the solar radiation reflected by the ground, in various wavelengths.

#The general principle of the invention is based on the observation that long-term weather forecasts are not very reliable. It is therefore inadvisable to rely on these to estimate the time required to acquire satellite images associated with a predetermined area of the Earth. Thus, according to the invention, it is proposed to carry out one or more simulations of the process of acquiring satellite images associated with a predetermined area of the Earth. The image acquisition process covers the period extending from the activation of a request for satellite imagery submitted by a client until the providing of imaging results to that client. In the invention, this involves carrying out each simulation based on past weather observations and/or forecasts. In this manner, it is possible to determine the time that the Earth observation system would have taken to acquire satellite images of the predetermined area of the Earth during the prior period concerned. This amount of time determined based on the past can then be used as a basis for estimating the future time to acquire satellite images.