Year
2005
Abstract
Nuclear safeguards regulators now have access to a growing body of remote sensing imagery that provides a range of types of information. High-resolution panchromatic imaging that provides detailed information from photo-interpretation is still the most commonly used, but multispectral, thermal and hyperspectral imaging are now being applied. Using well-calibrated hyperspectral imagery, surface materials can be characterized, identified and potentially tracked from source to destination. An obstacle to the routine usage of hyperspectral imagery for various applications is the considerable pre-processing required to remove sensor artifacts and atmospheric effects. We have developed semi-automated routines for pre-processing hyperspectral imagery from the Hyperion sensor on the American EO-1 satellite, and are also working to build up a body of experience in safeguards applications. This paper presents examples of our analysis of Hyperion imagery over the Akashat phosphate mine and Al Qaim fertilizer plant in western Iraq, chosen as a safeguards-related case study to determine if it would be possible to monitor the transfer of ore from a mine to a processing facility using satellite hyperspectral imagery.