The Trishna project

Vegetation plays an important role in the functioning of the Earth’s surface as it regulates the exchange of energy and substances (CO2, H2O, etc.). Visible sensors have made it possible to monitor the evolution (growth, maturity, ageing) of vegetation from space. However, plants can suffer from water stress, which raises the temperature of the plants. This stress can be observed in the infrared thermal range.

Currently, such space-based thermal measurements only exist at a resolution of about 100 metres at a monthly frequency, while at the global daily scale they are only available at kilometre resolution.

The Trishna mission, a collaboration between CNES (France) and ISRO (India), will collect thermal infrared images of the Earth’s surface with a resolution of 57 metres and a revisit every three days.

The Trishna satellite is therefore a specialised infrared and earth observation satellite. It observes vegetation zones and monitors soil temperatures. In this way, it can monitor the evolution of crops and vegetation around the world.

The unit is involved in the geometric modelling of the acquisitions sent by the satellite.

To find out more about the Trishna mission, visit the CNES website for Trishna.

The MERLIN project

Methane is a major contributor to climate change. Indeed, one tonne of methane contributes 25 times more to climate change than one tonne of CO2 on a time scale of 100 years. It is produced both by natural and human actions. However, its production remains largely linked to human activities. Indeed, its quantity has doubled since the beginning of the industrial era.
This is why it is essential to accurately measure the amount of atmospheric methane in order to understand the workings of our climate.

To carry out these measurements, the Merlin satellite uses a method that allows for unequalled precision. It will be equipped with the LIDAR IPDA for Integrated Path Differential Absorption. Its launch is scheduled for 2024. This mission is being developed jointly by the French CNES and German DLR space agencies.

The unit contributes to the definition of the algorithm of the processing chain, tests and validates the performance assumptions. It also carries out scientific studies on the geophysics of the measurement, and participates in the creation of an orbital simulator for any LIDAR IPDA satellite.

Learn more about the MERLIN mission on the CNES website.