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Black Hole Above |
Australia in Space a History |
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TOPEX-POSEIDON
Bouncing radar off the sea Experiment designed to monitor sea heights gives data yielding sea heights yields ionospheric data. |
CRC for Satellite Systems |
Australian Satellite
Science and Engineering
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As part of the activities of the Cooperative Research Centre for Satellite Systems of which La Trobe University is a partner, Australia is planning the launch of a scientific satellite for 2001, the centenary of Federation. Opportunities exist for researchers to join the project in the area of research using GPS. It is planned to carry a GPS receiver on board in order to undertake studies of the atmosphere and ionosphere. Features to be studied include ionisation profiles, irregularity occurrences and occultation studies of the atmosphere and ionosphere during what will be a period of high sunspot numbers. Particular emphasis will be directed toward the improvement of the current models of the ionosphere over the vast expanses of the southern hemisphere where existing data is sparse. See
the CRCSS web pages, starting at the index URL:
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/www/crcss/
Projects are available in the following areas:
Post-graduate Research Projects - Dr E.A. Essex
2. Imaging the low latitude scintillations using the GPS
3. Occultation Studies of the Atmosphere and Ionosphere
4. Mapping the ionosphere in the Australian and Antarctic region using the Australian Regional GPS Network
5 Fuzzy/ Neural network modelling of the atmosphere using GPS Data
For further details about the above projects Email Dr Essex
Post-graduate Research Projects Dr Harvey A, Cohen
2 Fuzzy/ Neural network modelling of the atmosphere using GPS Data
3 Segmentation of Hyperspectral Images
For further details about the above projects Email
H.Cohen@latrobe.edu.au
1. Space based and Ground based Computerised Ionospheric Tomography
Computerised ionospheric tomography holds promise as a new method for the investigation of the occurrence and movement of ionospheric structures in the range from tens to hundreds of kilometres. Both space based and ground based systems are being developed. Space based systems use signals from high earth orbit satellites, such as GPS, which are monitored by a low earth orbit satellite thereby providing a three dimensional scan of the ionosphere. For the ground based systems, low earth orbit satellites are being used as the source of radio signals which are monitored at ground level on a network of receivers located under the satellite's track thereby providing a scan of the ionosphere. The scanned data, which represents the integrated electron density of the ionosphere, is then analysed using an inversion process to reconstruct the vertical electron density profiles of the ionosphere. Opportunities exist for both theoretical and modelling research in space based ionospheric tomography.
The GPS constellation of satellites is a precise worldwide navigation system operated by the United States. Its usefulness is in navigation, mapping, altimetry, movement of the landscape features and accurate time measurements. The ionosphere, the ionised part of the medium through which the satellite propagates, introduces errors in these measurements. These errors, embedded in the data, may be extracted and used to improve the model of the regional ionosphere. Projects include the use of GPS to study scintillations at low latitudes using both space based and ground based receivers.
Accurate occultation measurements of the earth's atmosphere are now possible using GPS and low earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Bending of the ray paths from the GPS satellites to the receiver on board the LEO as occultation occurs provides information on both the ionospheric profile and the temperature and water vapour in the lower atmosphere. Opportunities exist for model studies of the earth's atmosphere for the occultation occurrences of the satellite systems.
Projects include the use of the Australian Regional GPS Network (ARGN) data base for studies of the large scale features of the ionosphere such as the equatorial anomaly and the mid latitude trough over Australia, the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. GPS is also being used to study scintillations in the high latitudes.
Joint Supervision with Dr H. Cohen
This project is concerned with the adaptive classification of the
rays received from a constellation of geodetic satellites
(the 24 GPS SV and 24 Glonass satellites) by
The signals received by a GPS receiver suffer delays due
to the electrons along the path (the TEC = Total electron content).
and further bending due to amospheric effects for rays that graze
the lower atmosphere.
FedSat 1 will be operational during a ausnspot maxima,
when from day to day
heightened solar activity will lead to very different
atmospheric pictures.
The aim of this project is to use modern classification
methods to massage the huge amount of data
that arises in just one day from satellite borne
and ground based receivers.
To complete this project a student will need to acquire
a good background in both space physics and in computer science.
However, to start the project,
its unreasonable to expect honours level in both aspects.
It is envisaged that in their first year
the candidate will take honours units to broaden their experience.
Dr Elizabeth A. Essex
School of Physics
La Trobe University
Kingsbury Drive
Bundoora, Vic 3083
AUSTRALIA
Ph: +613 9479 1485
Fax: +613 9479 1552
e-mail: e.essex@latrobe.edu.au
1 Satellite System Simulator
The CRC for Satellite Systems is to launch a series of scientific satellites,
starting with FedSat, to be launched in 2001. These satellites are low
earth orbiting (LEO) small ("microsatellites"), and hopefully
will have almost equatorial orbits. Although physically
these satellites are pretty comparably to the 84 kg Sputnik 1,
in fact they will be incredibly sophisticated in the on-board sensors,
antennae, computers, and comms links. And each satellite is not
just an isolated probe, it functions in conjunction with the
constellation of 24 GPS satellites (SV) and the 24 Glonass satellites.
The aim of the simulator project is to simulate
the spatial motion of CRCSat ( FedSat and other CRC satellites)
and the conjunctive motion of GPS and Glonass satellites,
and determine occurence details of
events that depend on the relative position of the CRCSat,
the Earth, and GPS/Glonass satellites. These events include
Because CRC-Sat is a smart microsatellite,
what happens during each orbit needs to be planned for
and tailored to the best possibilities.
The simulator is required both for configuration planning,
determining the orbital parameters most
appropriate for meeting mission objectives,
and for real-time planning of the on-board satellite
schedule.
A strong background in computer science is required.
Joint Supervision with Dr E.Essex
This project is concerned with the adaptive classification of the
rays received from a constellation of geodetic satellites
(the 24 GPS SV and 24 Glonass satellites) by
The signals received by a GPS receiver suffer delays due
to the electrons along the path (the TEC = Total electron content).
and further bending due to amospheric effects for rays that graze
the lower atmosphere.
FedSat 1 will be operational during a ausnspot maxima,
when from day to day
heightened solar activity will lead to very different
atmospheric pictures.
The aim of this project is to use modern classification
methods to massage the huge amount of data
that arises in just one day from satellite borne
and ground based receivers.
To complete this project a student will need to acquire
a good background in both space physics and in computer science.
However, to start the project,
its unreasonable to expect honours level in both aspects.
It is envisaged that in their first year
the candidate will take honours units to broaden their experience.
Hyperspectral imaging is a class of remote sensing
where the reflected luminance in a number of spectral bands is
determined, and corrected for atmospheric absorption.
In an arid climate, where there is minimal topsoil,
rock-types can be classified.
This project is concerned with several aspects of improving
the capabilities of hyperspectral surveys
for remote prospecting.
Dr Harvey A. Cohen
School of Computer Science
and Computer Engineering
La Trobe University
Bundoora, Vic 3083
AUSTRALIA
Ph: +613 9479 2596
Fax: +613 9479 3060
e-mail: H.Cohen@latrobe.edu.au
Scholarships and Method of Application
All intending postgraduate students are asked to both
Funding from the CRCSS will be used for the support
of certain research students,
both directly and as a supplement to APA awards.
Black Hole
Above
Australia in Space
a History
TOPEX-POSEIDON
Bouncing radar off the sea
Experiment designed to monitor
sea heights gives data yielding
sea heights
yields ionospheric data.
CRC
for
Satellite
Systems
Australian Satellite
Science and Engineering