Aerial Vs Satellite Remote Sensing

S K Diwakar
Aerial Photography
Taking aerial photographs of the Earth's surface is a passive form of remote
sensing generated from cameras mounted on aircraft, satellites and other
spacecraft. The photographs are taken every 10 to 30 seconds as an aircraft
follows a systematic overlapping flight pattern at a fixed altitude. Each picture
slightly overlaps the preceding picture so that a stereoscopic (3-D) image of the
entire area can be produced and ground objects can be more easily interpreted
(note that a strict set of mathematical corrections are applied in an
aerotriangulation process prior to compilation to remove errors such as
atmospheric refraction, film shrinkage, and underwater refraction). NOAA's
primary aerial photographic product is a 9x9 inch color photograph, which is
usually exposed at scales from 1:10,000 to 1:50,000. NOAA photographers can
also capture images from select parts of the electromagnetic spectrum by using
various combinations of films and filters. The types of imagery they usually collect
include natural color, panchromatic (black-and-white), and false-color infrared
and black-and-white infrared photography.
Since the late 1930s, precision aerial photography has been the primary data
source for coastal survey maps, shoreline feature delineation maps, nautical
charts and other agency coastal geographical information systems. Unfortunately,
however, aerial photography has limitations in that it can only provide high
resolution spacial imagery when weather (e.g., cloud cover, sun angle) and
environmental (e.g., tidal) conditions are optimal.
Furthermore, the spectral sensitivity of aerial photography is limited to small
range from about near ultraviolet to near infrared. Therefore, Space agencies is
currently investigating existing and new remote sensing technology to augment
and/or replace conventional aerial photgrammetry. Unlike traditional aerial
photography, these techniques are able to capture images derived from a much
broader portion of the electromagnetic spectrum (from low-frequency radio
waves through gamma-ray regions of the spectrum) and in some cases are not
restricted by time of day, weather conditions, and other environmental
anomalies.
Aerial Vs Satellite Remote Sensing
S K Diwakar
Satellite Remote Sensing
Remote sensing is the science of remotely acquiring, processing,
interpreting and presenting spatial data for objects and environmental
processes using signals from a broad range within the electromagnetic
spectrum.
Remote sensing instruments are able to produce images of the physical
properties and characteristics of objects without being in physical contact
with them. Instead, this highly advanced technology forms images by
gathering, focusing, and recording reflected light from the sun, energy
emitted by the object itself, or reflected radar waves (which were emitted
by the satellite or other remote sensing devices). Therefore, remote
sensing can be further characterized as either “passive” or "active." Passive
remote sensing detects available (background) electromagnetic energy
from natural sources (such as sunlight), while active remote sensing,
depends on an artificial "light" source (such as radar) to illuminate the
scene.
NOAA uses digital photogrammetric work stations to produce numerous
remote sensing products, including shoreline vectors and maps, digital
elevation models, digital terrain models, airport layout diagrams, aviation
obstruction charts, and various other special use maps and products.
Furthermore, more advanced remote sensing technologies can be less
expensive than collecting the same type and quantity of data using aerial
photography and conventional ground survey techniques.
Satellite Imagery vs. Aerial Photography
Satellite imagery is an alternative to aerial photography but there is a lot
of confusion as to what is actually satellite and what is aerial photography.
Many people think that the data seen in Google Earth is taken from a
satellite when in reality it is high resolution digital aerial photography.
Similarly, many television shows, such as the BBC's Spooks, refers to their
S K Diwakar
imagery of towns and cities as satellite dat
photography supplied by Bluesky! So, what are the main differences
between the two and which would be most suited to your project?
Below is a list of benefits and weaknesses for both aerial photography and
satellite imagery. This information should help you make an informed decision
on the type most suited to your requirements.
One of the main differences between aerial photography and satellite data is the range of spectral
information you can get. Usually for aerial photos you get spectral data ranging from visible to near
infrared, which is useful for most land cover mapping. However, some types of vegetation and
especially different types of soils and rocks can only be distinguished using middle infrared data (for
example, bands 5 and 7 from Landsat TM data).
Another important aspect is the spatial resolution. Until 10 years ago most high resolution data were
available only from aerial photographs. It was only after that Ikonos and Quickbird data became
available that high resolution satellite data also came with high resolution, but sill lacking middle
infrared data.

Aerial photos have high spatial resolution (you can see full details of land from them), usually they
are in black and white. Their main advantage is stereoscopy: two images from two different lens,
which means you can measure height.
Satellite images have higher spectral accuracy (you receive at least 4 bands (images) for each
acquisition RGB & IR).
You can compute the vegetation index from satellite images but you can't from aerial photo.

Cost of aerial images and different satellite images are varying. Based on your needs, you may go for
satellite/aerial images.