Space-Borne LIDAR Will Create Advanced 3-D Map

JAXA, the Japanese national aerospace and space agency, and NTT DATA Corporation, a digital business and IT services provider, will jointly conduct research to enhance the precision of three-dimensional mapping using space-borne LIDAR mounted on a satellite or other spacecraft.

“We plan to utilize the results from this project for further research and development on space-borne laser altimeters, and contribute to greater precision in 3D mapping.”

Toshiyoshi Kimura, director of sensor system research group at JAXA.

LIDAR (Laser Imaging, Detection, and Ranging) is a sensor system that can determine the range by measuring laser pulse travel time. Spaceborne LIDAR can observe ground surface covered by forest and vegetation accurately with wide area coverage, which is difficult to be observed directly by ordinary satellite images. JAXA has experience using laser altimeters on the Hayabusa spacecraft etc., but laser altimeters for earth observation satellites require about 1,000 times higher power due to their high orbital altitudes and atmospheric attenuation. JAXA is now conducting research and development to realize laser altimeters for earth observation.

The purpose of this joint research is to solve the technical challenges in 3D mapping from satellites over forest areas covered with trees and vegetation, and to improve the accuracy of 3D maps used in a variety of fields such as disaster response and management as well as preparing various types of hazard maps in the world. The research period will be from January 2021 to March 2022.

JAXA has been conducting research and development on earth observation using laser altimeters. In this joint research, JAXA will study the technology to measure the height of the ground surface more accurately using space-borne LIDAR data to contribute to the improvement of the 3D mapping.

NTT DATA has been providing digital 3D maps named AW3D2, which are the world’s most precise pre-produced global digital elevation models and have been used in over 2,000 projects in more than 130 countries. In this joint research, NTT DATA will study the technology to create a more accurate digital terrain model by combining satellite-derived digital elevation models with the elevation of the ground surface measured by the space-borne laser altimeter.

“We plan to utilize the results from this project for further research and development on space-borne laser altimeters, and contribute to greater precision in 3D mapping,” said Toshiyoshi Kimura, director of sensor system research group at JAXA.

“We are confident that we can make the best use of our 3D technology developed in creating AW3D and can contribute to developing advanced hazard maps which have so far been limited in emerging countries,” said Daiki Nozaki, head of the social innovation division at NTT DATA.

Going forward, JAXA and NTT DATA will utilize the results from this study to pursue further research on new satellite sensors and data analysis technologies. The two organizations also plan to explore other applications such as for digital twins (a virtual models of cities), and in the environmental assessment of forest resources.

(Image provided with JAXA news release. Image provided)