Disaster Monitoring Constellation Research Articles

MERIS GPP/NPP product for Estonia: I. Algorithm and preliminary results of simulation / MERIS’e GPP/NPP tulem Eesti jaoks: I. Algoritm ja mudelarvutuste esialgsed tulemused

Abstract. A light use efficiency (LUE) type model named EST_PP to simulate the yearly gross primary production (GPP) and net primary production (NPP) of Estonian land on a 1 km2 grid is described. The model is based on MERIS (MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer) satellite images to describe the fraction of photosynthetically active radiation (fAPAR) and leaf area index (LAI) as well as meteorological reanalysis datasets on 11 km2 grid produced by Estonian Meteorological Institute (EMHI) and Tartu University (TU) by means of the HIRLAM (High Resolution Limited Area Model) numerical weather prediction model. The land cover map of Estonia needed for the model was derived using DMCii (Disaster Monitoring Constellation International Imaging) SLIM-6-22 (Surrey Linear Imager - 6 channel - 22 m resolution) images and ancillary information. The EST_PP model was run for the period from years 2003 to 2011. The results of GPP and NPP simulation are compared with the available global MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) GPP/NPP product and with the Estonian statistical data on yearly volume increment in forests and on yield of agricultural crops. The NPP simulation results on coniferous and deciduous forests are compared with the data from tree ring analyses from different counties. These comparisons show us that the simulated country average yearly NPP values for Estonian forests agree reasonably well with the indirect estimates from other sources, taking into account the rather high uncertainty of the model predictions, uncertainty of forest inventory-based estimates and limited representativity of existing tree ring data. However, problems arise with the ability of present versions of EST_PP and MODIS NPP models to adequately simulate the regional differences of productivity and of variability of productivity in different years. The model needs some modification and the basic LUE principles to be tested in Estonia. Nevertheless, the MODIS NPP and EST_PP models offer additional possibilities to map yearly productivity and carbon sequestration by Estonian vegetation. There is a perspective to add the model-simulated NPP values into the national inventory datasets.

Technical system design and construction of China's HJ-1 satellites

The Chinese Government attaches great importance to applications of satellite remote sensing in environmental monitoring. On 6 September 2008, the first two satellites of the Environment and Disaster Monitoring and Prediction Satellite Constellation (HJ), HJ-1A and HJ-1B, were successfully launched, which started a new era of satellite applications for environmental monitoring in China. An introduction to the satellite, instrument, and ground systems of HJ-1A and HJ-1B is presented in this article, and an analysis of their technical performance and characteristics is also given. Focusing on the operational needs of environmental monitoring in China, the general design, functional construction, and operational mode of the application system of HJ-1A and HJ-1B are detailed, and the operations and applications of the two satellites are also discussed.

6U CubeSat commercial applications

AbstractRecent work by Tsitas and Kingston(1) has demonstrated that an 8kg 6U CubeSat can be designed to perform Earth observation missions equivalent to those of 50-150kg microsatellites. Their design is reviewed and its commercial potential is compared to the 156kg RapidEye spacecraft. Three other commercial applications of this design are described. These are: a standard spacecraft for space scientists and astronomers; the spacecraft component of an N nation 5 spectral band disaster monitoring constellation and a night imaging satellite. Nanosatellites should now be considered for commercial missions previously thought to require microsatellites.

A model, a heuristic and a decision support system to solve the scheduling problem of an earth observing satellite constellation

China plans to launch four small optical satellites and four small SAR satellites to form a natural disaster monitoring constellation. Data can be obtained by the constellation in all weather conditions for disaster alert and environmental damage analysis. The scheduling problem for the constellation consists of selecting and timetabling the observation activities to acquire the requested images of the earth surface and scheduling the download activities to transmit the image files to a set of ground stations. The scheduling problem is required to be solved every day in a typical 1-day horizon and it must respect complex satellite operational constraints as well as request preferences, such as visibility time windows, transition time between consecutive observations or downloads, memory capacity, energy capacity, polygon target requests and priorities. The objective is to maximize the rewards of the images taken and transmitted. We present a nonlinear model of the scheduling problem, develop a priority-based heuristic with conflict-avoided, limited backtracking and download-as-needed features, which produces satisfactory feasible plans in a very short time. A decision support system based on the model and the heuristic is also provided. The system performance shows a significant improvement with respect to faster and better scheduling of an earth observing satellite constellation.

The applicability of a small satellite constellation in classification for large-area habitat mapping: a case study of DMC multispectral imagery in west-central Alberta

The small satellite constellation (SSC) has the outstanding advantages of efficient operation and cost, global surveying, and increased revisit frequency, so that it has become the cutting edge of development in remote sensing in recent years. The Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) is the first successful application of the concept of an earth-observation constellation. Its mission is to address the issue of large-area habitat mapping and to display the capability of SSC. The DMC provides 32 m spatial resolution imagery with one-day revisit frequency and 600 km swath width. The objective of this research was to demonstrate the applicability of SSC in large-area habitat mapping (i.e., by applying DMC multispectral imagery in the classification of grizzly bear habitat in west-central Alberta). An object-oriented classification method was selected to classify the DMC imagery into a hierarchical land cover classification scheme composed of three levels of detail. An error matrix was tabulated based on ground reference data to assess the accuracy of the DMC-based classification. In order to learn about the capability of DMC imagery as objectively as possible, the DMC-based and Landsat-based classifications were compared. The overall accuracies of DMC-based classification were 95.6% in the most general level I, and 82.4% in the most detailed level III classifications. However, the DMC-based classification was inferior to the Landsat-based classification in accuracy, and the difference was gradually widened from level I to level III. It is believed that the DMC multispectral imagery can be a good candidate for remotely sensed data sources to describe the physiognomy of the earth's surface with more than 80% accuracy, especially for large areas.

Experience with Delay‐Tolerant Networking from orbit

AbstractWe describe the first use from space of the Bundle Protocol for Delay‐Tolerant Networking (DTN) and lessons learned from experiments made and experience gained with this protocol. The Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC), constructed by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), is a multiple‐satellite Earth‐imaging low‐Earth‐orbit sensor network in which recorded image swaths are stored onboard each satellite and later downloaded from the satellite payloads to a ground station. Store‐and‐forward of images with capture and later download gives each satellite the characteristics of a node in a disruption‐tolerant network. Originally developed for the ‘Interplanetary Internet,’ DTNs are now under investigation in an Internet Research Task Force (IRTF) DTN research group (RG), which has developed a ‘bundle’ architecture and protocol. The DMC is technically advanced in its adoption of the Internet Protocol (IP) for its imaging payloads and for satellite command and control, based around reuse of commercial networking and link protocols. These satellites' use of IP has enabled earlier experiments with the Cisco router in Low Earth Orbit (CLEO) onboard the constellation's UK‐DMC satellite. Earth images are downloaded from the satellites using a custom IP‐based high‐speed transfer protocol developed by SSTL, Saratoga, which tolerates unusual link environments. Saratoga has been documented in the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) for wider adoption. We experiment with the use of DTNRG bundle concepts onboard the UK‐DMC satellite, by examining how Saratoga can be used as a DTN ‘convergence layer’ to carry the DTNRG Bundle Protocol, so that sensor images can be delivered to ground stations and beyond as bundles. Our practical experience with the first successful use of the DTNRG Bundle Protocol in a space environment gives us insights into the design of the Bundle Protocol and enables us to identify issues that must be addressed before wider deployment of the Bundle Protocol. Published in 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Eco-environmental research on the Wenchuan Earthquake area using Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) Beijing-1 small satellite images

This paper introduces Beijing-1 and its applications in researching the eco-environment after the Wenchuan Earthquake on 12 May 2008. The land use/cover types of a study area close to the epicentre of the earthquake, taken before and after the earthquake, were classified using Beijing-1 small satellite multispectral images. Based on the land use/cover change, several eco-environmental problems were studied, including biotope change, vegetation cover change, hydro-ecology change and land degradation. The eco-environmental status change was also evaluated. The conclusion is that the Wenchuan Earthquake affected the land use/cover and eco-environment of the research area acutely, and the eco-environmental status change was observable. Habitats have become fragmented. The vegetation has been greatly destroyed. The dammed lakes which were produced were threatening to cause floods in the downriver region. The land degradation was obvious and there was a large decrease in the Eco-environmental Index (EI).

Capacity building in emerging space nations: Experiences, challenges and benefits

This paper focuses on ways in which space is being used to build capacity in science and technology in order to: • Offer increasing support for national and global solutions to current and emerging problems including: how to improve food security; resource management; understanding the impacts of climate change and how to deal with them; improving disaster mitigation, management and response. • Support sustainable economic development. We present some of the experiences, lessons learned and benefits gained in capacity building projects undertaken by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. and our partners from developing and mature space nations. We focus on the Turkish, Algerian and Nigerian know-how and technology transfer programmes which form part of the first Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) in orbit. From the lessons learned on Surrey’s know-how and technology transfer partnership programmes, it is clear that space technology needs to be implemented responsibly as part of a long-term capacity building plan to be a sustainable one. It needs to be supported with appropriate policy and legal frameworks, institutional development, including community participation, human resources development and strengthening of managerial systems. In taking this on board, DMC has resulted in a strong international partnership combining national objectives, humanitarian aid and commerce. The benefits include: • Ownership of space-based and supporting ground assets with low capital expenditure that is in line with national budgets of developing nations. • Ownership of data and control over data acquisition. • More for the money via collaborative consortium. • Space related capacity building in organisations and nations with the goal of sustainable development. • Opportunities for international collaboration, including disaster management and relief.

Automatic Spectral Rule-Based Preliminary Classification of Radiometrically Calibrated SPOT-4/-5/IRS, AVHRR/MSG, AATSR, IKONOS/QuickBird/OrbView/GeoEye, and DMC/SPOT-1/-2 Imagery—Part II: Classification Accuracy Assessment

In Part I of this paper, an operational fully automated Landsat-like image spectral rule-based decision-tree classifier (LSRC), suitable for mapping radiometrically calibrated seven-band Landsat-4/-5 Thematic Mapper (TM) and Landsat-7 Enhanced TM+ (ETM+) spaceborne images [eventually synthesized from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) imaging sensor] into a discrete and finite set of spectral categories, has been downscaled to properly deal with spaceborne multispectral imaging sensors whose spectral resolution overlaps with, but is inferior to Landsat's, namely: 1) Satellite Pour l'Observation de la Terre (SPOT)-4/-5, Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS)-1C/-1D/-P6 Linear Imaging Self-Scanner (LISS)-III, and IRS-P6 Advanced Wide Field Sensor (AWiFS); 2) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and Meteosat Second Generation (MSG); 3) Environmental Satellite (ENVISAT) Advanced Along-Track Scanning Radiometer (AATSR); 4) GeoEye-1, IKONOS-2, QuickBird-2, OrbView-3, TopSat, KOrean MultiPurpose SATellite (KOMPSAT)-2, FORMOsa SATellite (FORMOSAT)-2, Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) Advanced Visible and Near Infrared Radiometer type 2 (AVNIR-2), RapidEye, WorldView-2, PLEIADES-1/-2, and SPOT-6/-7; and 5) Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC), IRS-P6 LISS-IV, and SPOT-1/-2. LSRC, together with its five downscaled versions, identified, respectively, as the four-band SPOT-like SRC (SSRC), the four-band AVHRR-like SRC (AVSRC), the five-band AATSR-like SRC (AASRC), the four-band IKONOS-like SRC (ISRC), and the three-band DMC-like SRC (DSRC), form the so-called integrated SRC system of systems. In this paper, first, the classification accuracy and robustness to changes in the input data set of SSRC, AVSRC, AASRC, ISRC, and DSRC are assessed, both qualitatively and quantitatively, in comparison with LSRC's. Next, ongoing and future SRC applications are presented and discussed. They encompass: 1) the implementation of operational two-stage stratified hierarchical Remote Sensing (RS) image understanding systems discussed in Part I of this paper; 2) the integration of near real-time satellite mapping services with Internet map servers; and 3) the development of a new approach to semantic querying of large-scale multisensor image databases. These experimental results and application examples prove that the integrated SRC system of systems is operational, namely, it is effective, near real-time, automatic, and robust to changes in the input data set. Therefore, SRC appears eligible for use in operational satellite-based measurement systems such as those envisaged by the ongoing international Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) Programme and the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) system project.

Semiautomatic quality control of topographic reference datasets

The usefulness and acceptance of spatial information systems are mainly dependent on the quality of the underlying geodata. This paper describes a system for semiautomatic quality control of existing geospatial data via automatic image analysis using aerial images, high-resolution satellite imagery (IKONOS and RapidEye) and low-resolution satellite imagery (Disaster Monitoring Constellation, DMC) with monoand multi-temporal approaches focusing on objects which cover most of the area of the topographic dataset. The goal of the developed system is to reduce the manual efforts to a minimum. We shortly review the system design and then we focus on the automatic components and their integration in a semiautomatic workflow for verification and update. A prototype of the system has been in use for several years. From the experience gained during this time we give a detailed report on the system performance in its application as well as an evaluation of the results.

Analysis: Plug-and-play satellites

E&T reports from the CEAS 2009 European Air and Space Conference in Manchester, organised by the Council of European Aerospace Societies. Developments in micro-miniaturisation, packaging and power subsystems have allowed engineers to reduce the size and mass of satellites capable of accomplishing missions formerly reserved for much larger spacecraft. One example is the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC), whose baseline satellites produce images of similar resolution to those of the Landsats of the 1980s (around 30m), but weigh less than 100kg rather than the 2,000kg of the Landsats.

SSTL UK-DMC SLIM-6 Data Quality Assessment

Satellite data from the Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) United Kingdom (UK) Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) were assessed for geometric and radiometric quality. The UK-DMC Surrey Linear Imager 6 (SLIM-6) sensor has a 32-m spatial resolution and a ground swath width of 640 km. The UK-DMC SLIM-6 design consists of a three-band imager with green, red, and near-infrared bands that are set to similar bandpass as Landsat bands 2, 3, and 4. The UK-DMC data consisted of imagery registered to Landsat orthorectified imagery produced from the GeoCover program. Relief displacements within the UK-DMC SLIM-6 imagery were accounted for by using global 1-km digital elevation models available through the Global Land One-km Base Elevation (GLOBE) Project. Positional accuracy and relative band-to-band accuracy were measured. Positional accuracy of the UK-DMC SLIM-6 imagery was assessed by measuring the imagery against digital orthophoto quadrangles (DOQs), which are designed to meet national map accuracy standards at 1 : 24 000 scales; this corresponds to a horizontal root-mean-square accuracy of about 6 m. The UK-DMC SLIM-6 images were typically registered to within 1.0-1.5 pixels to the DOQ mosaic images. Several radiometric artifacts like striping, coherent noise, and flat detector were discovered and studied. Indications are that the SSTL UK-DMC SLIM-6 data have few artifacts and calibration challenges, and these can be adjusted or corrected via calibration and processing algorithms. The cross-calibration of the UK-DMC SLIM-6 and Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus was performed using image statistics derived from large common areas observed by the two sensors.

Relationship between MODIS fire hot spot count and burned area in a degraded tropical peat swamp forest in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

A number of space‐borne sensors observe radiant energy at thermal wavelengths. Thermal anomaly data, otherwise known as hotspot data, have been shown to be particularly correlated with the occurrence of active fires (a fire normally with a flaming component and/or smoldering component). Because of a lack of high‐quality burned area data, recent studies have used hotspot data as a proxy for burned area when calculating gas emissions or atmospheric pollutants as a result of biomass burning. We argue that the relationship between hotspot data and burned area is spatially variable and strongly dependent on the vegetation type and function. In this article, we explore the relationship between hotspot data and burned area for a region of degraded and partially altered tropical peat swamp forest in southern Kalimantan, Indonesia. MODIS thermal anomaly (MOD14A1) data were used, alongside disaster monitoring constellation (DMC) and Landsat TM data that were used to derive the burnt area, to calculate a figure indicating the average burned area per hotspot (AR). Two different levels of hotspot detection confidence are examined in order to ascertain which confidence levels best describe fires in a tropical peat swamp forest environment. Only a relatively small number of fires were detected at the lowest confidence level, but these small number of hotspots improved results. Results for the estimation of burnt area for each hotspot were found to vary between 15 and 16 ha. Omission errors are of the order of 60%; hotspot commission rates are of the order of 8%.

Space instrumentation: physics and astronomy in harmony?

Surrey Satellite Technology Limited was formed as a company in 1985 and has been involved in 23 small satellite missions, making it the most successful and experienced small satellite supplier in the world.The challenge of getting a satellite into space takes a dedicated multidisciplinary team of physicists and engineers working together to achieve a common goal. In this paper the author will look at the breakdown of the teams for a number of space projects including NigeriaSAT1; one of the satellites that make up the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC), which produces high quality commercial images for monitoring agriculture and the environment as well as dedicating a proportion of it's time to disaster monitoring. Commercial projects like this will be contrasted to instruments such as the Integral Field Unit (IFU) for the NIRSpec instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST is the replacement for the Hubble Space telescope).Although both projects have been running through commercial contracts at SSTL, how does the final goal of the instrument influence the synergy between the physics and the engineering needed to make it, and what, if any, economic differences are seen?

Mapping severe damage to land cover following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami using moderate spatial resolution satellite imagery

Visual analysis of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 250m before‐and‐after event imagery along 11 335 km of South East Asia and East Africa's coastline identified major changes to land cover along 1 220 km of coast caused by the tsunami of 26 December 2004. Over 81 000 ha of land were mapped as lost or severely damaged. High spatial resolution images (10–32 m) from the Terra satellite's Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer, Disaster Monitoring Constellation's Surrey Linear Imager and the Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM) provided verification. Area estimates of damaged land from MODIS were within 17% of the estimates made using high spatial resolution systems. Errors of commission and omission were estimated at 14% and 31%, respectively. The correlation between damage estimates from MODIS and high spatial resolution systems resulted in an R 2 of 0.73 at the 99.5% confidence level, with MODIS proving especially effective at mapping tsunami‐damaged areas greater in size than 150 ha. Correcting the original area estimate to account for errors of omission and commission using the regression model gave a revised figure of 103 854 ha of land damaged. Land cover types could not be assigned from the MODIS pre‐ and post‐disaster image pairs, but interpretation of pre‐disaster ETM imagery for the damaged areas indicated that around 5% was previously classed as barren, 11% as urban, 14% forest and 70% rural. The study provides confirmation that moderate resolution satellite imagery can provide rapid assessments of severe damage to land resources (though not cover type), as well as confirmation of non‐affected areas, over very large geographical regions in the aftermath of natural disasters such as the tsunami.

Detection and Processing of bistatically reflected GPS signals from low Earth orbit for the purpose of ocean remote sensing

We will show that ocean-reflected signals from the global positioning system (GPS) navigation satellite constellation can be detected from a low-earth orbiting satellite and that these signals show rough correlation with independent measurements of the sea winds. We will present waveforms of ocean-reflected GPS signals that have been detected using the experiment onboard the United Kingdom's Disaster Monitoring Constellation satellite and describe the processing methods used to obtain their delay and Doppler power distributions. The GPS bistatic radar experiment has made several raw data collections, and reflected GPS signals have been found on all attempts. The down linked data from an experiment has undergone extensive processing, and ocean-scattered signals have been mapped across a wide range of delay and Doppler space revealing characteristics which are known to be related to geophysical parameters such as surface roughness and wind speed. Here we will discuss the effects of integration time, reflection incidence angle and examine several delay-Doppler signal maps. The signals detected have been found to be in general agreement with an existing model (based on geometric optics) and with limited independent measurements of sea winds; a brief comparison is presented here. These results demonstrate that the concept of using bistatically reflected global navigation satellite systems signals from low earth orbit is a viable means of ocean remote sensing.

GPS Receiver Operations on the Disaster Monitoring Constellation Satellites

The Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) is an international Earth observation programme to provide a rapid global remote sensing service for the monitoring and mitigation of natural and man-made disasters. Although the Global Positioning System (GPS) was originally designed for terrestrial and air applications, satellite operations have benefited greatly from the use of on-board GPS receivers. This paper describes the GPS receiver operations on the DMC satellites, performance analysis, lessons learned, and upgrades planned for the future.

First results from the disaster monitoring constellation (DMC)

Surrey is currently engaged in launching its first constellation to provide daily global coverage at moderate resolution in three spectral bands, as part of an international initiative to provide global disaster monitoring. The first spacecraft in this disaster monitoring constellation (DMC), AlSAT-1, was launched in November 2002 and is now operational. Three further spacecraft in the constellation are currently being prepared for launch to join AlSAT-1 in July 2003. The programme employs novel models for international collaboration, and demonstrates how small satellite missions can be employed in emerging applications. This paper provides an overview of the DMC programme, details the spacecraft, and provides the first in-orbit mission results from AlSAT-1 including example of its unique EO data products comprising up to 600 × 600 km images gathered at 32-m GSD in 3 spectral bands.

Orbit Acquisition of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation – Preliminary Results

The Disaster Monitoring Constellation CDMC) is an international consortium, currently consisting of four remote-sensing satellites in a ‘string of pearls’ configuration in a sun-synchronous low Earth orbit. This paper examines the orbit acquisition problem for the DMC. A low-cost, accurate and practical solution utilising the natural dynamics for 3D constellation establishment in the form of a closed-loop controller is briefly introduced. Perturbative effects such as drag and Earth oblateness are also incorporated to maintain long term accuracy. The preliminary in-orbit results from the Disaster Monitoring Constellation orbit acquisition demonstrate both the accuracy of the algorithm as well as potewntial flexibilities in view of unforeseen operational constraints.

BILSAT-1: A low-cost, agile, earth observation microsatellite for Turkey

TUBITAK-BIlTEN has initaited a project to develop and propagate small satallite technologies in Turkey.As part of this initiative, TUBITAK-BILTEN is working working SSTL to develop a 100kg class enhanced microsatelliote, BILSAT-1. With the successful completion of this project, TUBITAK-BILTEN will be capable of producing its own satellites, covering all phases from design from design to production and in-orbit operatiion. It is hoped that acquisition of these technologies will stimulate Turkish industry into greater involvement in space related activities. The project was started in August 2001 and will run through to February 2003 with launch scheduled for July 2003. BILSAT-1 will be one of the most capable satellites that SSTL have eveer built and features several technologies normally only found on larger satellites. Specifically, the Attitude Determination and Control System of BILSAT-1 will be the most advanced that SSTL have everflown: Dual redundant Star Cameras, sun sensors and rate gyros provide accurate and precise attitude information allowing a very high degree of attitude knowledge. Acruators on board will make the satellite extremely agile — for instance allowing fast slew manoeuvers about its roll and pitch axes. The agile control system also enables ground target revisit times to be reduced compared to nadir-pointing gravity gradient stabilized satellites, and will allow stereoscopic imaging, target tracking and multiple attitude imaging to be undertaken with the satellites prime payloads: a 4-band multispectral 26-metre GSD imaging system and a 12-metre GSD panchromatic imager. Also on board the satellite there are additional payloads, including a state-of-the-art Digital Signal Processing payload (GEZGIN) that will enabele real time image compression in JPEG2000 format using a high performance floating point DSP, and a low resolution multi spectral (9-band) camera (COBAN). BILSAT-1 will also co-operate in the international Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) led by SSTL, providing the ability to enhance the imaging capabilities of the constellation. In parallel with the microsatellite design and build activities, all the infrastructure required to design, produce and operate a satellite is being constructed at BILTEN's premises in Turkey. This infrastructure includes assembly and integration rooms, a PCB prototyping workshop, research and development laboratories, and a satellite mission control ground station.