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Space Applications Centre  Department of Space, Indian Space Research Organisation

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Space based observation of Indian wetlands


India is blessed with an enormous diversity of wetland ecosystems which play a critical role in regulating carbon and hydrological cycles, resilience in climate change and land degradation, water related disasters, nutrient cycling, local economy etc. The concern for conservation and management of wetlands is increasing all over the world including India, due to burgeoning population pressure and developmental activities. Therefore, Space Applications Centre has carried out National wetland inventory and assessment-2nd cycle under SARITA (SAtellite based RIver hydrological Techniques and Application) programme of SAC, funded by Department of Space. This National wetland geo-database is developed using multi-date Resourcesat-2/2A, LISS-III datasets and with the support of many partner Institutions. Nation-wide mapping of wetlands at 1:50000 scale provides current status of wetlands, its type, extent, size, location, distribution, as well as decadal changes. Wetlands inventory statistics along with geospatial analysis has been brought out in the form of an atlas titled “Space based observation of Indian wetlands”.

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SPI and VCI based real time drought monitoring for Indian region


Drought is a complex natural phenomenon which impact agriculture enormously. Early detection of drought helps stakeholders to take counter measures and provide timely advisories. VEDAS has newly added drought monitoring functionality in its basket by providing widely used Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) and Vegetation Condition Index (VCI).

VEDAS is providing monthly and running 1-month weekly SPI at state as well as taluka levels. Monthly SPI is being calculated using CHIRPS precipitation data while running 1-month weekly SPI is being calculated using NOAA and CHIRPS rainfall data based on 1981-2018 CHIRPS precipitation data. It is available at its vegetation condition dashboard. It is also enabled with spatial analysis (map) as well as data analysis (pie chart and bar chart) functionalities.

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All India Sentinel-1 SAR data now available for visualisation and analysis


A fully automated procedure is now established for downloading, processing and publishing of Sentinel1-A&B SAR data on VEDAS. The data Sentinel1_SAR(IW)_GRD is automatically downloaded from Bhoonidhi portal; processed using SNAP tool and published on VEDAS for users. User can perform web-based visualisation and analysis at very high speed.
Following functionalities are available on VEDAS for Sentinel-1 SAR data :
1. Visualisation of daily data for a selected date for VV and VH polarisation.
2. Temporal profile for a pixel is available on click for both polarisations.
3. User defined dynamic mosaic of SAR data can be generated for any number of days.
4. RGB composite for any three dates and polarisation can be generated.
5. Water spread of reservoirs of flooded area can be generated with user defined thresholds.

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Exploring the Antarctic


This book presents the highlights of various scientific studies in the Antarctic region undertaken by Space Applications Centre (SAC-ISRO) using the earth observation data and decade long experience (2009-2019) of participation in the expeditions to Antarctica coordinated by National Centre of Polar and Ocean Research (ESSO-NCPOR). The studies include technique development and analysis of sea ice, ice sheet and ice shelves using sensors launch by ISRO such as AltiKa, SCATSAT-1, OSCAT, MSMR, RISAT, AWiFS, LISS-III, LISS-IV etc. Field studies include measurements at Bharati and Maitri stations

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Catastrophic Calving Events due to Collision of D28


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Assessment of surface inundation and changes in water turbidity associated with Cyclone Yaas


Yaas cyclone induced flash floods influenced many low-lying areas in the coastal regions and changed the turbidity of the wetlands. Study was carried out to assess the impact of cyclone on various Hydrological aspects including surface inundation, rainfall, and water quality. Surface inundation was estimated using synthetic aperture radar Sentinel-1 and Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR-2) dataset. Optical dataset of Sentinel-2 was analysed to understand the changes in the turbidity of the nearby rivers and lakes. Accumulated rainfall showed a high amount (> 300 mm) of precipitation received at the landfall location in Odisha during the period of 23 May 2021 to 28 May 2021. Heavy flooding was observed in the coastal districts of Orissa including Bhadrak, Kendrapara. Near Digha coast, a high amount of river discharge at the ocean mouth was observed in comparison to pre cyclone time. The turbidity of the water was also observed to be high due to sediments carried by the river.

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                        associated with Cyclone Yaas

Satellite Based Observations And Modeling Of Flood


Flood is a devastating natural disaster experienced generally during monsoon months due to torrential rainfall over different regions of India. This not only leads to large impact on the socio-economic life of the country but also result in large-scale destruction of life and property.

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Antarctica : Larsen C Rift Propagation and Calving as seen since 5th April 2017


Rift Propagation and ice calving of Larsen C Ice Shelf in Antarctica. Calving of ice took place between July 10th and 12th. AMHTDG Team was watching the event closely. Ice disintegration was of the order of ~ 6200 km2 out of ~ 50000 km2. The event presently will not raise the sea level, but the instability of the shelf and increased ice flow from Ice Sheet may altogether change the scenario.

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Antarctica : Larsen C Rift Propagation and Calving as seen since 5th April
                            2017

Android App for Solar Calculator

The Android App for Solar Calculator is very useful to know the Solar energy potential at any given place. It also gives forecast for next 72 hours.

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(PDF Size:611.62KB Language: English)

How to use Solar Calculator App
(PDF Size:708KB Language: English)

Flood monitoring using Ku band SCATSAT-1 data


This animated gif shows flood progression and receding pattern over India during 19 June to 26 July 2017 using Ku band SCATSAT-1 observations.

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Estimation Of Water Level Of Brahmaputra River using Scatterometer (OSCAT/ SCATSAT-1) Data

Scatterometer observations provide information on wetness which is modelled at the catchment scale to estimate basin wetness index and subsequently river water level fluctuations.

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(PDF Size:528KB Language: English)

Satellite based observations on Human induced changes in regional water balance in Punjab, India

Shifting pattern of irrigation practices due to Punjab water act has been monitored using the passive microwave observations.

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(PDF Size:563KB Language: English)

MONITORING SNOW AND GLACIERS OF HIMALAYAN REGION

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(PDF Size:30.4MB Language: English)

ATMOSPHERIC OPTICAL DEPTH (AOD) IN THE VALLES MARINERIS ON MARS BY INDIAN MARS ORBITER MISSION (MOM) DATA

The optical depth of Martian atmosphere as a function of altitude derived above two opposing walls (Northern and Southern walls of the Valles Marineris near Coprates Chasma region) of valley from stereo images that were taken with MCC on December 5, 2014.

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GLOBAL ALBEDO MAP OF MARS USING MSM DATA FROM MARS ORBITER MISSION

The albedo of the surface is defined as the fraction of incident solar radiation reflected by the surface. The magnitude and spatial distribution of Martian surface albedo are important inputs for characterization of Martian surface and Atmospheric circulation.

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(PDF Size:103KB Language: English)

MOSAIC OF MARTIAN NORTH POLE AND ICE CAP FROM MOM

The North Pole of Mars has a large ice cap on it. Mars Colour Camera (MCC) on-board MOM captured many images of north pole of Mars. Topographically corrected MCC reflectance mosaic is prepared using nine MCC images observed during 16 December 2015 to 26 January 2016.

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(PDF Size:332KB Language: English)

RETREAT OF NORTHERN POLAR ICE CAP OBSERVED BY MARS COLOUR CAMERA (MCC)

Using Mars Orbiter Mission-Mars Colour Camera (MOM-MCC), area of North Pole Ice Cap has been measured for retreat of Northern Polar Ice Cap during northern summer of Mars.

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(PDF Size:234KB Language: English)

HYDROLOGICAL DROUGHT CONDITION DETECTED USING SARAL-ALTIKA

SARAL-Altika is detecting water level fluctuations in 10 reservoirs since March 2013. A detailed study on Ukai reservoir reveals lowest water levels in 2016 as compared to previous years.

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(PDF Size:609KB Language: English)

MOSAIC OF VALLES MARINERIS: A SYSTEM OF CANYONS ON MARS

MCC has acquired many high and low resolution images for Valles Marineris. The datasets from MCC for the study area were geo corrected by using MOLA data. During photometric correction total six images of the surface of Valles Marineris were processed.

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(PDF Size:322KB Language: English)