The first domestic hyperspectrometer for nanosatellites of the CubeSat (cubesat) format, developed by scientists at Samara University. Korolev and the Institute of Image Processing Systems (IPIS) of the Russian Academy of Sciences, during tests in space, successfully solved the set tasks, demonstrating their capabilities in obtaining data used in the field of smart agriculture. .
– During flight tests now being carried out on board the ISOI SXC3-219 nanosatellite (3U nanosatellite format, U=10x10x10), our hyperspectrometer has demonstrated its potential for promising applications in the field of smart agriculture, which means that hyperspectral cameras of similar sizes and this design can be will be effectively used in the interests of the agricultural industry, – said the professor of the Department of Technical Cybernetics of Samara University named after. Koroleva Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Roman Skidanov. – Of course, due to the compactness of the nanosatellite, data transmission to Earth is carried out in the VHF band, which significantly reduces the amount and detail of received data, unlike large satellites. However, the results of the four months of the experiment in orbit confirm that this hyperspectrometer allows us to obtain enough data to determine the spectral indices of vegetation used in agriculture to solve smart agriculture problems.
The vegetation indices, more than 150 in total, are calculated on the basis of spectral data and show the most diverse parameters and properties of the plants necessary for the agricultural producer to take proper care of the crops. Depending on their condition, the amount of vitamins and moisture, ambient temperature and other factors, plants absorb and reflect electromagnetic waves in different ranges, in different spectrums and in different ways. By comparing these data in a single complex using hyperspectral or multispectral imaging, it is possible to remotely, quickly and accurately assess the condition of crops of a particular crop, without selectively sending individual plants or soil samples for laboratory analysis.
According to Roman Skidanov, the images obtained during the Samara hyperspectrometer experiment allowed, for example, to identify areas of winter crops with greater green mass, with a high amount of chlorophyll, and also to verify farmland that fell into the lens of the hyperspectrometer. for the presence of problematic crops. The data showed the level of moisture reserves in the plants and helped to calculate the vegetation index, which models the future productivity of the plants, that is, it gives a preliminary yield forecast.
Another calculated index evaluated the physiological state of the plants in terms of their stress. As you know, stress also occurs in plants, it is caused by adverse events: drought or excess moisture, strong winds, temperature changes, sudden frosts, and invasion of insect pests. Due to stress, metabolic changes occur in plants; with the help of a hyperspectrometer, these changes can also be detected from space.
“Hyperspectral data from a nanosatellite can be received independently, using VHF radio stations, or data received through the Institute of Image Processing Systems of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Of course, it should be understood that this spacecraft with a hyperspectral camera should be considered as a technology demonstrator, it will be followed by releases of more advanced models, perhaps even in series, of a compact hyperspectrometer for cubesats of various configurations. Furthermore, this experiment is certainly important from an educational point of view – schoolchildren who participate in the Space-Pi program receives practical skills in working with space hyperspectral data,” emphasized Roman Skidanov.
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Samara National Research University SP Koroleva is actively involved in the world-class scientific and educational center “Engineering of the Future”, which was created at the initiative of the governor of the Samara region Dmitry Azarov and became the center of attraction of scientific schools and industrial enterprises in a number of subjects of the country. REC’s activities focus on the development of five areas, including next-generation fuel and propulsion systems, artificial intelligence, intelligent transportation systems, aerospace technologies, the new engineering skills sector, including high-tech medicine, and digital agriculture. It is also worth remembering that the years 2022-2031 in Russia have been declared the Decade of Science and Technology.
– It is quite obvious that without close and focused attention to scientific research, to the problems of creating conditions for young scientists, introducing modern developments, it is simply impossible to say that the region and the country as a whole will develop at a faster pace. Quick. , – the Governor of the Samara Region Dmitry is sure Azarov. – And the idea of creating scientific and educational centers proposed by the president of the country Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, in my opinion, was of decisive importance. Of course, the colossal impetus for the development of scientific developments and innovations is largely due to this.
