Up to Date DSM Generation Using High Resolution Satellite Image Data

Abstract

Due to the increasing costs of high resolution satellite image data with stereo capabilities, products like accurate DSMs are becoming attractive for more and more users and applications. The Japanese optical sensor ALOS/PRISM which was launched in January 2006 has stereo capabilities by providing a simultaneous acquired image triplet. We have published several results of our evaluation of the potential of ALOS/PRISM image data together with our powerful software packages SAT-PP (Satellite Image Precision Processing) for DSM generation. Here, we focus on a new aspect, namely on the potential of the use of the image triplet in comparison to the use of just a stereo image pair, e.g. the combination of FN and FB. As we will see improves the use of a third image the results of the DSM generation especially for the combination of FB, but also for the combination FN. Additionally we will present the evaluation results of a new testfield, the volcano Sakurajima in Japan. The special characteristics of the volcano surface are very difficulty conditions for the image matching and DSM generation.