Back on January 9 RADARSAT-2 satellite, equipped with multi-purpose radar delivered high resolution images of the “Partner” schooner search area. Ground assets of space data reception and processing of ScanEx and Samara State Aerospace University were used to get near real-time satellite images.
A group of operational satellite-based monitoring of emergencies of ScanEx RDC started the search for the lost ship using satellite images and applying the following method:
– Selection of the imaging and polarization modes consistent with the task input data (ship’s size, water surface conditions, etc.);
– Ordering two images with minimum time delay;
– Modeling wind and currents to estimate the uncontrolled drift speed and direction;
– Detection of drifting objects based on two consecutive images.