Change detection and damage assessment based on the new generation radar satellites for G-MOSAIC pilot services

Within the GMES initiative, several projects focus on supporting the European Union Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Two of them are GMOSS (2004-2008) and, addressed in this paper, G-MOSAIC (2009-2011). GMOSS was the predecessor of G-MOSAIC. An important issue in GMOSS was to connect the information needs following from the CFSP security priorities to Earth Observation (EO) technology. The aim of G-MOSAIC is to go a step further and develop geospatial information products and pilot services for the EU external relations policies (CFSP/CSDP) and security end-users. Pilot services to which TNO contributes, are developed in Cooperation with DLR, e-GEOS, GMV, Infoterra, Joanneum Research, JRC, and others. Key technology that is discussed is radar change detection. Output products give information on vessel traffic, harbour activities, transhipment of goods, timber logging, earthquake damage, and reconstruction after crisis. Present radar EO systems turn out to be well suited to monitor different activities due to different scattering mechanisms, and irrespective of cloud cover.