Section 1.4: Remote Sensing

Head of Section: Prof. Dr. Hermann Kaufmann

We concern ourselves with the definition, simulation and design of hyperspectral, optical sensors and the analysis and evaluation of remote measurements made from resp. airplanes and satellites. In this context, we study the varying quantities of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun and reflected by Earth's surface from the visible to the shortwave infrared wavelengths region, segmented into more than 200 spectral bands. This field of research named ‘imaging spectroscopy’ contributes to the understanding of a variety of geoscientific disciplines and to answering many crucial questions related to environmental issues. To meet our challenging objectives together with the international science community, we have been defining the hyperspectral satellite sensor EnMAP, approved by the government in 2006 and to be launched in 2014.

Our second scientific focus concentrates on the microwave region. Using interferometric SAR technology, we compute coherent signals from different radar satellites for precise deformation analyzes. Measuring even the subtlest spatial changes on Earth's surface, we can significantly contribute to reducing the risk of natural disasters and to support the mitigation of damage.