Message from the Conference Chairman
We are entering a very dynamic and challenging time for SAR development with the recent start of ALOS/PALSAR and a number of space-borne systems to be launched soon: TerraSAR-X, SAR-Lupe, RADARSAT-2, COSMO Skymed, TECSAR and several others. SAR systems are today an indispensable data source for high resolution 2D and 3D mapping, environmental and disaster monitoring as well as security related applications. Information extraction has achieved a mature and operational level in a number of different fields, making the contributions of SAR systems to present and future programs like GMES and GEOSS a very essential one.
In order to provide an outstanding technical level for the presentations at the conference, we have invited about 85 experts in the SAR field to participate in the Technical Program Committee. We will have 49 sessions in 3 days of conference, including 22 invited sessions, full-day tutorials on topical themes on 15th May 2006, an industrial exhibition showing the latest technological and technical developments in this field as well as the Awards presentation during the closing session at the last day of the conference. A special event program will be organized following the tradition of the previous EUSAR conferences. This year we will also have a four-hand piano concert by Dr. Richard Klemm together with a special guest from Brazil.
The conference site is the International Congress Center, one of the most modern and most beautiful congress centers in Europe. It is situated directly on the banks of the river Elbe in the heart of the historical city amongst all the popular sights and points of interest. Take your time to visit the city of Dresden, which is celebrating its 800th jubilee year in 2006.I am looking forward to meeting you in Dresden during EUSAR 2006 and to sharing a most pleasant, interesting and fruitful conference.
Alberto Moreira General Chairman EUSAR 2006
Message from the Program Chairman
On behalf of the program board I would like to welcome you to the EUSAR 2006 conference. Due to the overwhelming response to our call for papers, we are certain that EUSAR 2006 will prove to be an outstanding success and a representative forum for scientific research in SAR related topics. We received 465 abstracts from 34 countries all over the world. These abstracts were reviewed by the program committee consisting of 84 respected international scientists. 250 papers were selected for oral presentation and 180 papers for interactive poster presentation making this the largest EUSAR conference yet with five parallel sessions. To our great satisfaction, all important fields of SAR techniques, technology and exploitation are covered by the contributions.
EUSAR 2006 starts with a plenary session with keynote speeches by prominent personalities. During the three conference days, the oral sessions will be held in five halls in parallel. We tried to arrange the parallel sessions in such a way that the overlap of the topics is minimised. Special attention has been given to the poster sessions, which are planned for the Wednesday evening in conjunction with a reception. Also, a commercial exhibition will hosted during the conference showing the latest industrial developments in SAR systems and applications. Following our tradition, a piano recital will be held on the first evening followed by a visit to a local hostelry.
All papers will be included in the EUSAR conference proceedings and on compact disk.
I would like to express my thanks to all the contributors and speakers and in particular to the members of the program board for their competent evaluation of the large number of submissions.
I am looking forward to seeing you in Dresden.
David Hounam Technical Chairman EUSAR2006