REMOTE SEBSING APPLICATIONS

thrivikramji@gmail.com

Introduction

The phrase remote sensing is used to designate a method of data collection (but
with out coming into contact with) about objects stellar, galactic or earthly in
location with the help of aircraft mounted, orbiting, geostationary or even hand
held imaging systems, including the ordinary photography.

It is one of the best known nondestructive methods of data acquisition and

makes use of passive sensors like radiameters or active sensors like
photographic systems, MSS and IR scanners.

Bit of History.

With the advent of cameras, films and aircrafts, taking photos of scenes by
vertically looking downward from vantage points or at lower angles from specially
formed elevated platforms (even from low flying aircrafts as well as balloons) for
various civilian, defense and entertainment applications became common place.

During the 2nd war the allied forces made use of these techniques for assessing
the damages on the enemy side, troop movements etc. in an extensive manner.
At the conclusion of the war, application and refinement of photo imaging with
different types of camera and film and filter combinations were continued by the
military in conjunction with the research missions of the university faculty in the
US. This synergy led to the development of new methods, interpretation
techniques and photographing the earth features from space crafts like the
Gemini series.

A logical conclusion of these efforts finally led to the launching of the ERTS
(earth resources technology satellite) series in the early seventies. In 1972, by
the launching of the ERTS II, this system of satellites was redesignated as
LANDSAT, as a sequel to the SEASAT series solely designed for imaging the
seascape. This opened up a new discipline of remote sensing as opposed to
aerial remote sensing with the aircrafts.

The sensors, whether aircraft mounted or satellite mounted imaged the signals
coming off the earth s surface (and especially from the rocks, soils, water bodies,
forest and other vegetation cover etc.) using different types of scanners or
sensors. Based on the altitude of the sensing devices with respect to the surface
of the earth, we have low altitude aircraft, high altitude aircraft (>50,000 ft.)
mounted sensors and satellite based RS platforms (@ orbital elevation of 555
Km) and in a sun synchronous orbit, i.e., the satellite mounted sensors will image
the earth s surface only during the day time locally.

Basis of remote sensing

In order to understand the basis of remote sensing it is essential to brush up

one s basic knowledge of EM radiation. The electromagnetic radiation includes
the visible (0.4 -0.7 mu) part of the electromagnetic spectrum, as well as the
ultraviolet and infrared and the microwave radiations.
Regions and wavelengths of EM spectrum

Gamma 0.003 A-0.001

rays mu
X rays 0.001-0.1 mu
UV 0.1 mu-0.4 mu
visible 0.4-0.7 mu
Near IR 0.7-1.5 mu
Mid & far IR 1.5 mu 1.0 mu
microwaves 1.0 mu 0.8 m
Radio 0.8 m 10.0 km.
waves

This energy originating in the sun is transmitted through the atmosphere before it
finally reaches the earth s surface. On reaching the earth s surface characterized
by a variety of natural as well as man-made surface cover (with rock, soil, water
bodies, vegetation cover of different sorts, and man made features like buildings,
roads and so on), these radiations are absorbed, transmitted through, or
reflected back toward the space. During their travel through space to the earth or
back, these radiations are absorbed or scattered resulting in a loss of the energy
contained in these.

Advantages of satellite remote sensing.

It provides a synoptic view of the scene in digital fashion and also in 4

different bands enabling to identification and discrimination of the various
elements in the ground. The repetitive tracking of the same area with same scale
and periodicity are definite advantages enabling the monitoring of the activities
whether natural or human related. The data products are by far the cheapest and
cost effective of all remote sensing data products. The penetration of satellite
perspective to regions otherwise inaccessible to humans is considered as a great
advantage.

It is equally important to note the disadvantages or limitations of satellite remote

sensing. The cloud cover can often bar the sensors effectively from imaging the
scenes below. It is applicable to aircraft remote sensing techniques or products.
The images are insufficient for detailed studies of the features on the ground, i.e.,
due to the scale limitations of RS images. The precision of the images are
equally insufficient for photogrammetric and mapping applications. Further stereo
viewing or 3D viewing is not possible with the exception of the French SPOT
satellite.

Profile of LANDSAT

This US satellite series have the following characteristics The sensors on board
the satellites LANDSAT I & II (orbiting @ 925 Km above or 578 mi), included a
Multi band scanner (Multi Spectral Scanner or MSS) covering 185 km x 185 km
scenes and operating in the green (0.5-0.6 mu), red (0.6-0.7 mu) & near infra
red (0.7-0.8 and0.8-1.1 mu) and three Return Beam Vidicon (RBV) cameras
operating in the green, red and near infra red regions and a design resolution of
70 m. and a coverage of 185 Km of the ground. The latter (RBV) however had to
be abandoned.

IRS Indian satellite series

The sensors in the IRS series of satellites are designed to be sensitive to the
following spectral regions to be applicable to studies designated against.

band range Application

1 0.45-0.52 Coastal environment & soil/vegetation separation
2 0.52-0.59 Vegetation vigor, rock/soil separation, turbidity &
bathymetry
3 0.62-0.68 Separation of plant species- strong chlorophyll sensitive
4 0.77-0.86 Delineation of water features and landform studies.

IRS I was launched in March 17, 1988, with a 22 day repeat cycle, a sun
synchronous north south path and an orbit height of 904 Km. Carried two (Linear
Imaging Self scanning cameras) imaging systems, LISS-I had a resolution of 73
m.(swath width 148 Km.) , while LISS II had a resolution of 36.5 m. (swath width
=74 Km.). Data coverage is in digital form as well as in a variety of hard copies.

Remote Sensing Applications.

The satellite and aircraft RS data find wide range applications in many aspects of
civilian, military and scientific activities of different nations. Fast, repetitive and
cheap data collection in RS has enabled many end users to generate very
valuable information to the needs of the society.

Applications in geological and geomorphologic studies are mainly with respect to

preparation of small scale reconnaissance maps of hither to unmapped regions
due to logistics or inaccessibility. Updating and revising existing maps with new
data on lineament and tectonic data as well as quick recognition of mineralized
regions are also achieved by the RS data.

Planning, management and monitoring of resources on the land surface are

easily achieved by the use of RS data products. Preparation of regional
geomorphic maps, monitoring of dynamic systems and domains on the surface,
in soil mapping and hence classification, identification of new alignments for
highways, pipelines, and rail roads are also easily and quickly performed on the
satellite imageries.

Water resources study is quickly performed in reconnaissance manner on RS

data. It is used in mapping of stream patterns, flood monitoring (provided visibility
is good), snow cover mapping and water potential, and irrigated area monitoring
and ground water potential assessment.

Crop area and health monitoring is quickly achieved by RS. Naturally yield
estimates are easier done through this means. Such forecasts are very important
for a nation and its food security.

Monitoring forest health, resource inventory and detection of various types of

forest hazards are easily achieved by RS techniques.

Monitoring of the dynamic nature of land is very useful for planners and
developers. The RS data is of extreme values in the former. Ocean and coastal
zones of any country are equally important resources of nation. Studies relating
to the processes and hazards posed by the coastal seas are easily achieved by
the RS.
The Indian Scene

India is one of the countries with capability for design launch and application of
remote sensing data products. The aircraft mounted sensing is the sole job of
NRSA and through their own facilities. Indian Air Force is also vested with
capabilities of mapping land with cameras. However, citizens are not allowed to
collect primary data by themselves. Security, cost and infrastructure are the main
obstacles.

The data products can be procured for a price from the National Remote Sensing
Agency NRSA-, Hyderabad or ISRO in Bangalore or SAC (Space Application
Center), Ahmedabad. Real users can make use of the image libraries in these
organizations with prior appointment and of course for a fee. A visit to the
websites of these organizations will be in order prior to the first contact over fax
or snail mail. Training in Remote Sensing and GIS Applications are available at
the National Remote Sensing Agency in Dehradun.
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