3. The MOMS sensor development line 
MOMS-01 was a technical experiment to test CCD 
technology and to gain better results with more 
precise defined band position and width. Two 
bands were flown, red and near infrared 50 and 
150 nm wide and the resolution achieved was 
20 m, at that time superior to all other sensors. 
Due to a principle of double optics a swath of 
140 km could be achieved. The radiometric 
resolution of 7 bit proved to be to low to get 
SNR clean data. 
MOMS-02 was a complete new instrument which 
combined narrow band multispectral with 
inflight stereo. It proved to be the instrument 
type for operational monitoring and assessment 
for the next decade. 
MOMS-2P will be the operational version of MOMS-02. 
This instrument is able to provide automatic 
topographic maps in a scale of 1:50000. 
Thematic evaluations are possible up to a scale 
of 1:25000. Due to the mission duration of 2 
years monitoring of dynamic phenomena is also 
granted. 
The comparison and historical development of the MOMS 
camera is summerized in Table 1 and Table 3. Table 2 
highlights the 4 operation modes of MOMS-2P. 
4. Thematic Objectives 
The MOMS data allows the improved interpretation and verifi- 
cation of natural phenomena and man made changes. The main 
investigations are focused on the fields of land-cover, 
geomorphology, geology, ecology and urban planning. The 4 
narrow multispectral bands in combination with the high 
spatial resolution enable an enhanced detection of relevant 
surface parameters, e.g. small scale textures of the earth's 
surface. Stereo data sets in high spatial resolution allow the 
derivation of high quality digital terrain models with an 
accuracy of up to 3 meters. The combination of simultaneously 
acquired stereo and multispectral data sets provide topographic 
and thematic information for environmental assessment and 
monitoring. 
The major test areas of the thematic-geoscientific group of 
investigators and their principal research topics are: 
e Egypt, Eastern Desert and Saudi Arabia: rock and soil 
spectral signatures, lithologic mapping, mineral exploration 
e Ethiopia: vegetation spectral signatures, vegetation 
changes, land-use, pedology 
e Zimbabwe: vegetation mapping, regional planning 
e Australia: stratigraphic and tectonic mapping, mineral 
exploration 
26 
e China: land use, natural risk assessment, mineral 
prospecting 
e Mexico: coastal environment, natural risks, lan use 
mapping, DTM, morphology 
e Chile: neotectonic, petrographic differentiation, mineral 
exploration 
The availability of simultaneously acquired stereoscopic and 
multispectral information requires new ways of image pro- 
cessing and data extraction. The data extraction through 
optimised image enhancement and classification plus the 
quantitatively determinable third dimension enables the 
derivation of a variety of new data layers from one single 
system. These layers will be compiled in a Geo-Information- 
System with intelligent concepts for the combination of the 
extracted information. 
The stereo capabilities combined with multispectral data will 
considerably improve the detectability of surface phenomena. 
The comparison of images taken under different observation 
angles allows to investigate the directional effects of surface 
texture on the spectral response. Simultaneously acquired 
multiresolution data will provide unique possibilities to study 
surface textures and mixed pixels for understanding the phy- 
sical and geometric properties of the scanned objects. For 
vegetation studies and landuse purposes an improvement of 
classification accuracy is expected, especially in natural forest 
areas, biotop detection and monitoring regions with agro- 
forestry as well as in urban zones. 
In addition MOMS 02/2P narrow band multispectral data leads 
to an improved differentiation of spectral signatures of min- 
erals, rocks, soils and vegetation. MOMS 02/2P modes 
combining multispectral bands with off-nadir stereo channels, 
provide specific object dependent signal differences, which 
might be used to improve the differentiation of various 
vegetation communities. 
Furthermore, the suitability of MOMS-02 for atmospheric 
research (scattering, thickness of layers), hydrologic-ecological 
and coastal studies (transparency, water depth, suspended 
matter), the detection and classification of instable slopes 
(areas endangered by land-slides), the mapping of watersheds 
and drainage area in karst regions, and the modelling of water 
flow has been investigated and will be pushed forward with the 
acquisition of MOMS-2P data. 
5. Examples and some results of MOMS-02 data 
Figure 5a and 5b show a multispectral and high resolution 
MOMS-02 image from an area east of Antofogasta, Chile, 
which was acquired in Mode 5. The data take consists of 3 
multispectral bands (see Table 3). These bands were used for a 
false colour composite: 4 (infrared range), 3 (red range), 1 
(blue range), superimposed by the pan-chromatic high 
resolution band (12.8 and 4.2 m). 
International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXI, Part B6. Vienna 1996