RFI No.: RFI/003/08/2017
Supplementary Information in support of the Request for Information (RFI) for Synthetic Aperture Radar Data by the South African National Space Agency
Date of Issue of RFI: 04 September 2017
Response Deadline for RFI: 06 October 2017
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it envisaged that parastatals will be included in the data distribution agreement?
-We would like to be able to distribute the data as widely as possible to all government entities and institutions. It is expected that the responses will detail relevant restrictions and limitations.
- What is the minimum vessel size for vessel detection?
-50 meters
- How is the total number of scenes split between ad-hoc/targeted acquisition and systematic acquisition modes?
-10-15% of the total number of scenes is envisaged for ad-hoc/target acquisition requests.
- What is the expected latency indelivery of standard data products:
-The requirement is for data products (standard) to be delivered in near-real time, with a maximum latency of 30mins from image acquisition to delivery of standard products.
- Which ground stations are being referred to under “other ground stations” e.g. the main and/or polar stations of the satellite operator?
-Essentially two scenarios are envisaged – having direct reception at SANSA(from reception to processing, etc.) or having data transmitted via fibre after being downloaded at an operator’s ground station. This question relates to the latter, that is, if having a direct reception station at SANSA facilities is not the most feasible solution, what would be the minimum requirements (i.e. hardware, software and system) for SANSA to have in place for an alternative solution?
- What system specification is required for the reception of data? Does this refer to a reception station in South Africa (a local station)?
-No, it refers to minimum requirements for an alternative solution to direct reception in order to receive the data within 30 minutes
- Is SANSA looking for specs about reception only (antenna system) or about the whole loop (reception, ingestion, archiving, processing, etc.)?
-In the case of direct reception, the whole loop.
- How many antennas are full motion at the existing ground station in South Africa?
-All antennas full motion (down to 0 deg)
- Are the demodulators described used to demodulate Remote Sensing data?
-Yes they are used for remote sensing data - we have 2x Avtec and 2x Cortex HDR for earth observation remote sensing data.
- What is the electrical power specification in South Africa?
-Electrical power is delivered as 400/230VAC, 60Hz (not 50Hz as in many other countries)
- Will any proprietary software be required? Is SANSA looking for reception, processing or some other functionalities?
-Software that is required for the whole loop from reception to processing of standard products.
- Clarify what is meant by: ”What is the proposed data delivery method?”
-If direct reception to a local (South African based ground station) is not a feasible solution, then what are the delivery methods for data from the operatorsground station to SANSA.
- What is meant by “Reporting requirements”?
-Potentially what reporting would be expected from SANSA regarding the use, distribution and quality of data.
- Confidentiality of respondents’ information
-All information submitted in response to the RFI will be confidential and not distributed by SANSA to any other respondents or other third parties.