Tunisian researchers from the Engineering University of Sfax (ENIS) also participated in ground work, joining personnel from DLR, the University of Munich, and the International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) in the Netherlands.

"AquiferEx is a good example of the fruitful interplay between satellite remote sensing, air-borne campaigns and ground-truthing," added Saradeth. "It demonstrates the complementary nature of each and emphasises their individual importance. AquiferEx and Aquifer stand also for successful cooperation between operational water management entities, research and development institutes and private companies spanning Africa and Europe."

AquiferEx results going to work for Aquifer, and future satellites

Following formal export authorization of acquired radar and hyperspectral data from the Tunisian Ministry of Defence, the AquiferEx results will be evaluated jointly by DLR and the Aquifer project team, including national remote sensing institutes in the SASS countries most prominently Tunisia's Centre National de Tldtection (CNT) and the European partners GAF AG, the University of Munich, Munich-based company Vista GmbH and Toulouse-based company Scot.

While DLR concentrates on the analysis and interpretation of radar data, CNT and Vista are focusing on the combined evaluation of radar and hyperspectral data for land use and land cover mapping. Data will also be shared with cooperating research partners including ITC. Dedicated CNT-based training sessions on the processing, value adding and use of the AquiferEx data are planned for 2006 in the Aquifer framework.

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Contact: Mariangela D'Acunto
mariangela.dacunto@esa.int
39-069-418-0856
European Space Agency
19-Dec-2005