Lessonia-1 SAR Project for Improving the Disaster Management in Brazil

Abstract

The Lessonia-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Project is a significant initiative by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). It involves the deployment of a constellation of low-orbit satellites, including Carcará I and Carcará II SAR-based microsatellites with dual purposes, addressing both military and civilian needs. The Lessonia-1 satellites provide real-time data for disaster response and management. They monitor natural events such as earthquakes, wildfires, floods, landslides and enhancing surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and border control operations. By capturing SAR images, Lessonia-1 satellites enhance situational awareness during emergencies, enabling timely interventions and resource allocation. SAR technology enables satellites to penetrate cloud cover, providing valuable observations of terrain, even in regions like the Amazon rainforest. Space Operations Center (COPE) has been tasked to acquire imagery from Lessonia-1 SAR to support joint operations to mitigate natural disasters, for instance, flooding and wildfires. This paper aims to explore the characteristics and implementation of the Lessonia-1 SAR Project, operating in X band, with VV polarization imagery in different imaging modes and resolutions to support the wildfire and flooding events in Brazil. The study concluded that Lessonia-1 SAR imagery effectively provide timely and accurate geospatial information for disaster management.