Space Missions
High-Resolution Thermal Missions
The GCU actively contributes to three next-generation satellite missions that will provide unprecedented thermal Earth observation at ~50 m resolution and 2-day revisit.
LSTM
Land Surface Temperature Monitoring
LSTM is the next Copernicus Sentinel-10 mission developed by ESA and the European Commission. It will provide systematic, global observations of land surface temperature at high spatial and temporal resolution, addressing a critical observational gap in our rapidly warming climate.
Prof. José Antonio Sobrino is a member of the ESA Mission Advisory Group (MAG) for the LSTM mission. ESA has recognized the GCU's essential contribution to preparing unprecedented global thermal Earth observation capabilities.
GCU Contributions
- LST and LSE algorithm development for TIRS sensor
- Participation in ESA Mission Advisory Group
- Calibration/validation campaigns (Italy, France, Spain, USA)
- In-situ data from 6 permanent stations
- Product validation against Landsat 9 and ECOSTRESS
- Algorithm ATBD (Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document)
GCU Contributions
- Member of the TRISHNA Scientific Committee
- LST retrieval algorithm development
- Participation in French-organized field campaigns
- Two annual trips to CNES headquarters in Toulouse
- Collaboration with CESBIO, ONERA, University of Strasbourg
TRISHNA
Thermal infraRed Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural resource Assessment
TRISHNA is a joint mission between CNES (France) and ISRO (India) aimed at monitoring the land surface energy budget and evapotranspiration at high resolution. Prof. Sobrino is a member of the TRISHNA Scientific Committee.
SBG
Surface Biology and Geology
The Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) mission from NASA and ASI will provide global hyperspectral and thermal infrared imagery. It fills a critical gap in Earth observation by combining surface mineralogy, vegetation biochemistry, and thermal data into a unified platform.
GCU Contributions
- LST algorithm development for TIR instrument
- Collaboration with NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- Joint field campaigns in USA and Europe
- Cross-validation with LSTM and TRISHNA products
- Participation in SBG scientific workshops