Safeguards Application of 3D Technology and Satellite Imagery for Building Change Detection

In support of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Canadian Safeguards Support Program (CSSP) of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has sponsored the development of 3D technology which can be used to extract object heights at nuclear facilities using a single high-resolution optical satellite image and create 3D models for change detection purposes. The technology has been transferred to the IAEA for extracting heights of stacks and buildings of interest. This paper presents a methodology for conducting change detection using 3D models which were extracted from two satellite images taken at different times. 3D models provide the user with an enhanced perspective over traditional methods for uncovering physical changes in land surface objects and structures. Users can then conduct analytical comparisons of footprint areas and height differences using 3D models. Information generated can be visualized to indicate changes above ground and for safeguards applications such as volume and structural changes at nuclear facilities. The paper presented here illustrates a simple methodology used to conduct 3D change detection focused on buildings at a nuclear facility as an example.