thumbnail

System Characterization Report on the Gaofen-6

Open-File Report 2021-1030-M
By: , , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20211030M

Links

Executive Summary

Gaofen-6 represents a series of Chinese high-resolution Earth observation satellites. More than 12 satellites have been launched in the Gaofen series, beginning with Gaofen-1 in 2013. Satellites within the series have varying infrared, radar, and optical imaging capabilities. The primary goal for the satellites in this series is to provide near real-time observations for climate change monitoring, geographical mapping, precision agriculture support, environmental and resource surveying, and disaster prevention. More information on Chinese satellites and sensors is available in the “2022 Joint Agency Commercial Imagery Evaluation—Remote Sensing Satellite Compendium.”

The Earth Resources Observation and Science Cal/Val Center of Excellence system characterization team completed data analyses to characterize the geometric (interior and exterior), radiometric, and spatial performances of Gaofen-6. Results of these analyses indicate that Gaofen-6 has an interior geometric performance root mean square error ranging from 2.84 meters (m; 0.18 pixel) to 7.42 m (0.46 pixel) in easting and from 2.84 m (0.18 pixel) to 11.57 m (0.72 pixel) in northing in band-to-band registration, an exterior geometric performance root mean square error ranging from 154.50 m (8.80 pixels) in easting to 14.65 m (0.80 pixel) in northing in comparison to a corresponding Sentinel-2 scene, a radiometric performance ranging from 0.018 to 0.055 (in offset) and from 0.620 to 0.858 (in slope), and a spatial performance ranging from 2.10 to 2.30 pixels at full width at half maximum, with a modulation transfer function at a Nyquist frequency ranging from 0.040 to 0.055.

Suggested Citation

Sampath, A., Christopherson, J., Park, S., Kim, M., Stensaas, G.L., and Anderson, C., 2024, System characterization report on the Gaofen-6, chap. M of Ramaseri Chandra, S.N., comp., System characterization of Earth observation sensors: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2021–1030, 9 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20211030M.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Table of Contents

  • Executive Summary
  • Reference Cited
  • Introduction
  • System Description
  • Standardized Procedures
  • Measurements
  • Analysis
  • Summary and Conclusions
  • Selected References
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title System characterization report on the Gaofen-6
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2021-1030
Chapter M
DOI 10.3133/ofr20211030M
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center
Description iv, 9 p.
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details