Science and application opportunities for a dual-frequency Ku-band synthetic aperture radar concept - Call for ideas

A dual Ku-band synthetic aperture radar concept dedicated to measuring terrestrial snow mass

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) completed the Phase 0 development for a moderate-resolution, dual-frequency Ku-band (13.5; 17.25 GHz) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite concept. The initiative responds to a need identified by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to increase Canada's capability to monitor snow water equivalent (SWE) over the Northern Hemisphere. The primary mission objective is to quantify the spatially and temporally dynamic amount of freshwater stored in seasonal terrestrial snow (the SWE); through data assimilation, improve the treatment of snow in operational environmental prediction systems and thereby enhance numerical weather prediction, hydrological forecasting, and seasonal prediction.

Motivation for a Call for Ideas

Should this dual Ku-band SAR concept be fully realized, the CSA would be interested in maximizing the science and socio-economical return on this mission. Notably, the SAR frequencies are a novel element of the mission that no other satellites historically or currently provide, which may enable new opportunities including the primary mission objectives. As such, the CSA would be interested in capturing the interest from the Canadian scientific community to pursue pre- and post-launch research investigations, including data validation activities, and innovative satellite data solutions development to help meet various needs in our everyday lives.

In the spirit of Reconciliation and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and in recognition of the value and importance of the science, technology and ways of knowing of Indigenous Peoples, the CSA is interested in hearing from Indigenous Peoples, who may wish to contribute Indigenous science or traditional knowledge through this Call for Ideas.

Eligibility & deadline

Any Canadian, Indigenous or International organization, industry, academic institution, government or non-government agency, consortium, or private citizen can submit a response to this Call for ideas. Please note that First Nation, Inuit and Métis Knowledge-keepers, Elders or other individuals who are the holders of Indigenous science and traditional knowledge, are invited to submit a response. Responses to this Call for ideas are not mandatory to be eligible to any subsequent call for opportunities.

All responses must be submitted to CSA before Midnight (ET) July 14, 2024.

Type of responses

The CSA foresees four types of responses (or combinations thereof) to this Call for Ideas (responses provided should take into account the specifications provided in the Appendix A):

1. Additional science validation of primary mission algorithms and products:

   Examples of potential needs for investment could include leveraging existing infrastructure and models to collect new data, perform additional analyses or refine models and algorithms to support the validation of the SWE, snow wet/dry state, and/or snow microstructure variables retrieved from dual Ku-band SAR data over a range of conditions and environments.

2. Additional variables retrieved from the concept as currently scoped:

   Examples of potential needs for investments could include the retrieval of additional geophysical variables beyond the retrieval of snow-related variables, including validation activities. These activities could rely solely on data provided by the concept or also leverage other sources of data (in situ, airborne or satellite sensors).

3. Development of innovative applications towards ready-to-use products and services:

   Examples of potential needs for investments could include the development of new applications, data products, models/prototypes, methodologies, teaching/learning methods and tools, education material, systems, services, etc. resulting from dual Ku-band SAR data to meet today's challenges resulting in a better future for all.

4. Suggested names for the concept as a future satellite mission

Impact on primary mission objectives

It should be noted that the primary objectives and corresponding measurement requirements of the dual-frequency Ku-band synthetic aperture radar concept are fixed, and that none of the ideas presented in response to this Call for Ideas shall conflict with the primary objective or add risk to the mission, should it be fully realized.

Call for Ideas terms

Information collected in this process is for planning purposes only and cannot be construed as intent to issue announcement of opportunities, grants or Request for Proposals (RFP) from the CSA. Responses will remain anonymous. All information provided in response to this Call for Ideas is non-binding.

This Call for Ideas shall in no way be considered as authorization by the CSA for respondents to undertake any work, which would result in costs to the CSA. The CSA shall not be liable for, nor shall it reimburse any respondents for, any costs, fees or expenses, which any respondent incurs in the preparation or submission of its response to this Call for Ideas.

The CSA does not intend to publicly disclose any proprietary or confidential information obtained during this Call for Ideas. To the full extent that it is protected pursuant to the Access to Information Act, any information identified by a respondent as "Proprietary" or "Confidential" will be kept confidential.

How to submit your response

Your Call for Ideas response shall be delivered by email to: systemeterre-earthsystem@asc-csa.gc.ca using the Response Submission Form (Word, 190 KB) . All communication regarding the content of this Call for Ideas and additional questions must be addressed to this address as well.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Appendix A: Specifications of the dual-frequency Ku-band synthetic aperture radar concept

This appendix gives a description of the minimum requirements for the dual-frequency Ku-band synthetic aperture radar concept, as it is currently envisioned, for use in guiding proposals in response to this Call for Ideas.