Owen Hawkins
Business Development Manager
Surrey Satellite Technology
United Kingdom

Biography
Owen Hawkins has worked at SSTL for the past 8 years, initially in DMCii working on data distribution and satellite applications, and after in SSTL working on new satellite concepts. He gained his Batchelor from Leeds University in Physics and Electronic Engineering, and subsequently a Masters in Nanoscale Science and Technology from Leeds and Sheffield Universities. Current activities include the development of the UK NovaSAR programme and building bilateral relationships between the UK and other space-faring nations. With a working knowledge of the entire satellite value chain, Owen is interested in innovative approaches to geospatial information production and distribution.

Abstract
Applications Development using Low Cost Space Based Radar

The UK government is supporting an initiative to develop low-cost solutions for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) missions through a grant to SSTL and Airbus for the NovaSAR programme. The build of the first NovaSAR mission is well underway, expecting completion by the end of 2015 with launch thereafter. The payload images in S-Band and is suited to operate in a constellation. Along with other imaging modes, an innovative maritime mode is being implemented, which will operate in parallel with an Automated Identification System (AIS) sensor to receive signals from ships synchronised with image acquisition. In parallel with this satellite build, activities are underway to prepare users for the new applications that will be possible using the data, and to characterise the performance of the data for existing applications. Examples include agricultural monitoring including cereals and rice, forestry, oil and gas and maritime security. This is taking place through theoretical studies and airborne imaging campaigns supported by UK companies and research and development bodies. Additionally, the NovaSAR programme development pathway anticipates a number of alterations for future missions and possibilities presented through constellation, which will have application impacts. This paper will present the rationale for the programme and the highlights of this research.