Design of digital elevation model based on orthorectified satellite stereo images

In this paper, orthorectification of satellite data from Pleiades satellite sensors based on ground control points (GCPs) is performed. A true orthorectification of satellite data is possible with an accurate digital elevation model (DEM). This study was challenging due to weather condition, hilly, and nonuniform terrain at the city Kota Kinabalu in East Malaysia. First, the geometric accuracy of the sensors is required for 3D mapping of the area of interest. In addition, an accurate DEM for better height calculation of vegetation/trees near power poles is required. For these purposes, first we need the true orthorectification of satellite stereo imagery. The measured GCP is compared with the actual GCPs to evaluate the geometric correction in terms of root mean square error. The comparison was made based on rational polynomial Function (RPC) coefficients and GCP measurements. Results show that the Pleiades satellite sensor is feasible for generating the elevation model for small area. This shows that Pleiades sensor can be used for monitoring the vegetation near poles of high transmission power lines based on the satellite stereo images.