Satellite Navigation Parameter-Assisted Orthorectification for over 60°N Latitude Satellite Imagery

Abstract

This paper presents a satellite navigation parameters-assisted orthorectification method for the generation of a seamless, full-coverage mosaic of the Greenland ice sheet using the over 60°N latitude Declassified Intelligence Satellite Photography (DISP) imagery. The model integrates the photogrammetric bundle adjustment model and satellite navigation parameters, which are expressed by a third order polynomial solving for the exterior orientation parameters of all images and satellite navigation parameters simultaneously. This is because of the fact that not each of DISP image contains sufficient Ground Control Points (GCPs), and it is almost impossible to find out or lay out the photogrammetrically targeted points prior to 1960s in the area of above 60°N latitude. The comparison of three orthorectification methods (camera model, second order polynomial, and the proposed method) demonstrated that the proposed method could reach highest accuracy of the other two methods. Finally, two full-coverage mosaics of Greenland using 24 DISP images from the ARGON 9034A Mission and 36 images from of the 9058A/59A mission were assembled. The average horizontal accuracy (relative to the SAR Mosaic) is estimated to be 168 m in flat area, and 183 m in mountainous area. The two mosaic products have been distributed for use of research community via CD and internet through the US National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) at no charge.