Abstract: STAR-3i Interferometric Airborne Radar System: State-of-the-Art Exploration Tool

Irving, R. E.; Toth, V. A.; and Mackay, H. - lntermap Technologies

The STAR-3i interferometric airborne radar system provides the exploration community with state-of-the-art high resolution (2.5m) imagery and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) (1-2m) for advanced stages of exploration, logistical planning and environmental assessment. STAR-3i acquires interferometric radar images from which DEMs with automatic vertical accuracies of 2m and with up to 1 m accuracy using ground control points. The STAR-31 DEMs contain very dense sampling grids of up to 5 meters, eliminating broad area interpolations that have previously hindered advanced logical planning and environmental analysis. Composite data sets, combining the rich tonal and textural information of the ortho-image data with highly accurate topographic patterns, provides an interpretive tool never before available for analysis of surface topography and surface cover.

This high resolution data is a key tool to be used in later stages of exploration, once potential hydrocarbon plays have been identified and large-scale mapping is required. Highly accurate, quantitative structural attitudes and characteristics may be extracted from stereo image pairs. Logistical planning for drilling locations, seismic lines, road construction and pipeline routing may be cost-effectively prepared using a combination of radar image and DEM products. Environmental impact assessment information extracted from this interferometric imagery includes aspect and slope analysis and change detection of surficial conditions or surface height over time to within 3 cm.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90933©1998 ABGP/AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil