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Satellite Communication Applications

A fleet of commercial communication satellites, are operating over India with
communication transponders in C-band, Extended C-band, Ku-band and S-band.
These transponders support the services like television, telecommunication, radio
networking, strategic communication and societal applications. The prominent users
of the transponders are BSNL, Doordarshan, All India Radio, strategic govt. users,
public sector units, private VSAT operators, DTH and TV operators, banking and
financial institutions, etc.

Under societal applications, ISRO/DOS has supported programmes like

Telemedicine, Tele-education and Disaster Management Support (DMS) Programmes
which are solely national development oriented with an aim to address specific
requirements at different strata of the society.

Television
INSAT has been a major catalyst for the expansion of television coverage in India.
DOS has made available the required transponders through INSAT/GSAT satellites
and through leased capacity to cater to the needs of television service.

Radio Networking
Radio Networking (RN) through INSAT provides a reliable high-fidelity programme
channels for National as well as Regional Networking. AIR is utilising one C-band
transponder of INSAT-3C for uplinking RN carriers across the country.

Telecommunications
INSAT satellites have been traditionally supporting telecommunication applications for
providing voice and data communications. Satellite links are the primary means of
connectivity to remote and far flung regions of the country and they are the backup
links for large number of terrestrial connectivity in the mainland.

Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) networks are designed to support all kinds of
applications supporting video, voice and data, with a wide range of data rates from
few kilobits per second (kbps) to 8 megabits per seconds (mbps). A VSAT network
comprises of a central hub and hundreds of terminals which are further interfaced to
computers and other peripheral devices. The hub acts as a gateway with interface to
external connectivity and several application servers. Rapid technological
advancements and reduction in the cost of user equipment are increasing the
popularity of VSAT network. A VSAT network works out to be a cheaper option while
establishing a network to cover a wide geographical area, state wide or nationwide.
VSAT networks operate in C, Extended C and Ku-bands.

Telemedicine
ISRO Telemedicine pilot project was started in the year 2001 as part of proof-of-
concept demonstration programme, linking Apollo Hospital at Chennai with the Apollo
Rural Hospital at Aragonda village in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The
Telemedicine technology involved the ICT based system consisting of customised
medical software integrated with the computer hardware along with medical
diagnostic instruments connected to the commercial VSAT at each location. The
Telemedicine software consisted essentially of store-and-forward modules for Tele-
radiology, Tele-cardiology and Tele-pathology purposes along with the video-
conferencing facility.

As an on-going/continuous activity, tech support is provided to interested hospitals for

conducting Continuing Medical Education (CME); operations of Hub are monitored
and continuous follow-up is done with all users for optimum utilisation

Tele-education
'EDUSAT', India's first thematic satellite dedicated exclusively for educational
services, was used extensively to cater to a wide range of interactive educational
delivery modes like one-way TV broadcast, video conferencing, computer
conferencing, web-based instructions, etc. EDUSAT had manifold objectives - to
supplement the curriculum-based teaching, imparting effective teacher training,
providing access to quality resource persons and new technologies, thus finally
resulting in taking education to every nook and corner of India. EDUSAT provided
connectivity to schools, colleges and higher levels of education and also supported
non-formal education including development communication.

EDUSAT Programme was implemented in three phases: pilot, semi-operational and

operational phases. Pilot projects were conducted during 2004 in Karnataka,
Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh with 300 terminals. The experiences of pilot
projects were adopted in semi-operational phase. During semi- operational phase,
almost all the states and major national agencies were covered under EDUSAT
programme.

The networks implemented under EDUSAT programme comprise of two types of

terminals, namely, Satellite Interactive Terminals (SITs) and Receive Only Terminals
(ROTs). Many states have expressed their keen interest to upgrade their networks
and DOS is extending necessary technical assistance towards upgradation and
expansion.

Satellite Meteorology
The meteorological satellite data of INSAT is processed and disseminated by INSAT
Meteorological Data Processing System (IMDPS) of India Meteorological Department
(IMD) At present, INSAT/GSAT satellites carrying meteorological payloads are
supporting weather forecasting services. IMDPS is capable to receive and process
the data of all three existing geostationary meteorological satellites. The performance
of the system has been maintained to the level of 98% operation efficiency (24x365
bases). The output generated by the system is used for efficient and successful
forecasting the major weather events, particularly major cyclones in the past.

Satellite Aided Search and Rescue (SAS&R)

India is a member of the international COSPAS-SARSAT programme for providing
distress alert and position location service through LEOSAR (Low Earth Orbit Search
And Rescue) satellite system. Under this programme, India has established two Local
User Terminals (LUTs), one at Lucknow and the other at Bengaluru. The Indian
Mission Control Centre (INMCC) is located at ISTRAC, Bengaluru. The system is
operational from the past 24 years.

Standard Time and Frequency Signal Dissemination Services

A Standard Time and Frequency Signal (STFS) Dissemination Service using INSAT
system is provided by National Physical Laboratory. This service is available round-
the-clock in a broadcast mode and is receivable on a set up consisting of receive
antenna, a front-end converter, an FM demodulator and a microprocessor controlled
signal decoder. The service consists of a train of 5 KHz bursts signal, which is
frequency modulated on the carrier. The timing service has a precision of better than
one microsecond and accuracy of better than 20 microseconds.

GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN)

The implementation of GAGAN has numerous benefits to the aviation sector in terms
of fuel saving, saving in equipment cost, flight safety, increased air space capacity,
efficiency, enhancement of reliability, reduction in workload for operators, coverage of
oceanic area for air traffic control, high position accuracy, etc. Directorate General of
Civil Aviation (DGCA) certified GAGAN for enroute services (RNP 0.1) on the
December 30, 2013 and further certified for precision approach (APV 1) on April 21,
2015. With this, GAGAN signal is available for both civil Aviation and Non-Aviation
users. GAGAN Payloads are operational through GSAT-8, GSAT-10 and GSAT-15
satellites.

Some of the benefits GAGAN is expected to bring for Civil Aviation sector are:

Safety benefits - Vertical guidance improves safety, especially in adverse weather

conditions
Reduction of circling approaches
Environmental benefits-Approach with Vertical Guidance procedures will help
facilitate better energy and descent profile management during the final approach
Global seamless navigation for all phases of flight including arrival, departure,
oceanic and en route
Allow direct routings, multiple approaches resulting in considerable fuel savings
to airlines and provide for capacity enhancement of airports and airspace

In addition to aviation sector, GAGAN is expected to bring benefits to other sectors

like:

Navigation and Safety Enhancement in Railways, Roadways, Ships, Spacecraft

Geographic Data Collection
Scientific Research for Atmospheric Studies
Geodynamics
Natural Resource and Land Management
Location based services, Mobile, Tourism, etc.

Some of the specific application initiatives are summarised below:

Surveying: (a) Karnataka forest department has used GAGAN dongle (a low end
receiver devised to receive and process GAGAN) for forest surveys. (b) AAI is using
GAGAN based surveys for airport survey requirements. (c) NRSC is using GAGAN
for Ground Control Point Library recording.

Railways: NRSC, along with Indian Railways, are experimenting on various GAGAN
based applications, particularly in providing unmanned level crossing warning to
drivers using GAGAN - BHUVAN applications. NRSC is doing pilot work on Train
tracking using GPS-GAGAN.

Marine: DG, Shipping had a meeting at ISRO HQ and is in the process of assessing
GAGAN for marine operations and are coordinating for the same.

Space weather studies: GAGAN data is being used for space weather studies by
SAC/ISAC and has also been used for developing regional IONO model for Asia
Pacific region.

Applications of IRNSS
Two types of services are envisaged by using IRNSS, namely Standard Positioning
Service (SPS) which is provided to all the users and Restricted Service (RS), which is
an encrypted service provided only to the authorised users. The IRNSS System will
provide a position accuracy of better than 20 m in the primary service area.

Some applications of IRNSS are:

Terrestrial, Aerial and Marine Navigation

Disaster Management
Vehicle tracking and fleet management
Power Grid Synchronisation
Location Based Services
Earth and Atmospheric Studies
Integration with mobile phones
Fisheries
Mining
Precise Timing
Mapping and Geodetic data capture
Terrestrial navigation aid for hikers and travellers
Visual and voice navigation for drivers
Improved Availability of Position fix in Multi GNSS environment

Disaster Management Support (DMS) Programme

The Disaster Management Support - Decision Support Centre (DMS-DSC)
established at National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) is actively engaged in
monitoring natural disasters such as flood, cyclone, landslides, earthquakes and
forest fires. The major activities during the year were monitoring all the flood
events, supporting the disaster management during the Nepal Earthquake and
monitoring the landslide dammed Phutkal river in Jammu & Kashmir.
Floods: Floods are mapped and monitored in all major states and flood
inundation maps were provided in near real-time to the concerned State Relief
Commissioners, Ministry of Home Affairs, National Disaster Management
Authority, National Disaster Response Force, Central Water Commission and
India Meteorological Department. Value added flood products were populated on
the Bhuvan and NDEM web portals.
National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad being a member of
committee on scientific assessment of flood prone area, provides inputs on flood
prone area based on DEM, water level and historic satellite data as input..
Cyclones: All the depressions and cyclones originated in the Indian Ocean
region were monitored and the track, intensity and landfall were predicted. All the
information was regularly updated on the MOSDAC website
(http://www.mosdac.gov.in) as part of information dissemination.
Forest Fire: The Indian Forest Fire Response and Assessment System
(INFFRAS) provides observations of active forest fires from TERRA and AQUA
MODIS data on a near real time basis. Active forest information is available to
users within 30 minutes of acquisition on Bhuvan as well as through Forest
 Survey of India.
Landslides: Landslide is monitored using CARTOSAT data and regular updates
on impoundment area, volume of water and possible scenario due to breach is
provided to NDMA. The inputs are used by NDMA to assess the threat and clear
the blockade. Monitoring of the status of Lhonak Lake in Sikkim and Pareechu
Lake in Tibet was carried using CARTOSAT data and information was furnished
to CWC.
Earthquake: Pre- and post-disaster high-resolution satellite images (Cartosat-
1/2, Resourcesat LISS IV) and 10 m DEM are used to map co-seismic landslides
triggered during the earthquake. Many landslide-dammed lakes have also been
mapped.

The processed data and information were sent to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA),
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and National Disaster Response
Force (NDRF), in addition to uploading to Bhuvan and NDEM web portals of ISRO.
The information derived from satellite data is shared among various international
agencies for unifying the efforts and coordinating rescue operations.

Early Warning Systems Development: Medium range flood forecast models were
developed for the many river basins and operationally used in real-time in
collaboration with Central Water Commission. Web-enabled spatial flood early
warning system has been developed and being implemented in real-time during the
monsoon periods.

An experimental early warning system for rainfall triggered landslides was developed
and implemented along the pilgrimage route corridors leading to Gangotri, Badrinath
and Kedarnath as well as along the Pithoragarh-Malpa route in Uttarakhand. The
early warning is generated based on the statistical relation between the spatial
(geological, morphological and terrain factors) and temporal (triggering factor;
primarily long term rainfall events and the triggered landslides) controls of slope
failure.

Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad has developed a model for

thunderstorm predictions. Further, a prediction model for heat waves was developed
in 2015. Satellite derived information such as landuse/ land cover, vegetation cover,
albedo, etc., are major influencing factors for the model. The experimental forecast
output is overlaid on a GIS format with base data layers such as district boundaries,
roads, railway lines, land use/land cover, etc. Both the forecasts were made available
in MOSDAC and the links were given in Bhuvan and NDEM portals.

National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM): NDEM version 2.0 was
launched with improved features and functions on ISRO satellite based Virtual Private
Network (VPN). This portal consists of multi-scale geospatial database covering base,
thematic, infrastructure, disaster specific products and satellite imagery along with a
set of customised decision support tools. Generation of multi-scale geospatial
services for 36 States / UTs at 1:50,000 scale, 209 out of 350 most vulnerable and
multi hazard prone districts at 1:10,000 scale and high resolution satellite data for 210
towns has been completed. Satellite data derived value added disaster specific
products (~209) covering 11 States covering disaster events in 2015 were hosted on
NDEM portal. Mobile apps and user manuals were also uploaded in NDEM private
and public portals for better utilisation of the services. Simultaneously, NDEM Public
portal is hosted on ISRO Bhuvan platform through internet connectivity.

Seven regional training programmes for Central/State government departments (150

officers) have been organised across the country for the familiarisation of NDEM
private and public portals for enabling the better utilisation of NDEM products and
services.

Aerial survey for large-scale mapping: Close contour flood plain mapping is being
carried out using airborne LiDAR / LFDC data for use in flood inundation modelling
and flood depth assessment.

Communication Support: The satellite based satellite communication network, by

interconnecting the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) at MHA, the
PMO, and the State Emergency Operations Centres (SEOCs) for Ministry of Home
Affairs, is being maintained operational.

Satellite Aided Search and Rescue: The Satellite Aided Search and Rescue system
which provides services to 7 neighbouring countries. Online Beacon registration
system has been upgraded based on user requirements.

International cooperation in DMS: ISRO has carried out the Lead Role in
International Charter Operations during April-October 2015. During this period, ISRO
managed 17 activations, published three communications and Universal Access was
extended to 5 countries. During 2015, satellite data support (28 scenes) were
provided for 10 emergency requests from Vietnam, Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh,
Japan, Myanmar, Nepal and Taiwan for floods, oil spill, landslides and Typhoon
disasters.

Remote Sensing Applications

Remote sensing application projects at National, State and Local levels are being
carried out through well established multi-pronged implementation architecture of
National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS) in the country. Major
ISRO Centres, namely, National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad and
Space Application Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad spearhead all such applications
development and implementation initiatives from ISRO/DOS. Regional Remote
Sensing Centres (RRSCs) of NRSC, North-Eastern Space Application Centre (NE-
SAC), Shillong and the State Remote Sensing Application Centres play a key role in
implementation and reaching out to the grassroots for effective utilisation of the
technology. User Ministries of State and Central Government departments and other
institutions play a major role in utilising remote sensing technology in their own
departments. In addition, private sector, Non-Governmental Organisations and
academia also utilise this technology in different developmental sectors of the country.

National Land Use/Land Cover (LU/LC) mapping on 1:250,000: LU/LC assessment

is made using semi-automated approach which includes automated processing of
AWiFS quadrant data and classification using rule based approach. Water spread as
well as snow cover information is generated though automated process. Rule based
data integration of temporal datasets was adopted to derive final LU/LC output.

Crop Acreage and Production Estimation: The semi-physical spectral-spatial yield

model was developed for various crops and provided to Mahalanobis National Crop
Forecasting Centre (MNCFC) and required training is being imparted to MNCFC
personnel for running the model and deriving planting date from time series NDVI
data.

Coordinated programme on Horticulture Assessment and Management using

Geoinformatics (CHAMAN): This national level project has been taken up, with the
major objectives of (i) area assessment and production forecasting of major
horticultural crops in selected districts in India; (ii) geospatial applications for
horticultural development and management planning; and (iii) detailed scientific field
level studies for developing technology for crop identification, yield modelling and
disease assessment. Temporal high-resolution data (LISS-IV and Cartosat-1) has
been used for delineation of spatial extent of the crop of interest. A mobile application
'CHAMAN app' was developed to aid in faster and efficient collection of ground
information, as well as in building geodatabase through Bhuvan platform.

Cotton crop area mapping: Multi-temporal satellite (Landsat-8) data was classified
and interpreted for cotton crop identification, discrimination and mapping for Wardha
Taluka in Wardha district, Maharashtra. Land Use/Land Cover, forest, settlement,
water bodies and ancillary data was used to mask the non-crop area. It was observed
that around 17,900 ha area of study area was covered by cotton crop (21.4% of total
geographical area). The results were subsequently validated in the field.

Indian Forest Cover Change Alert System (InFCCAS): A remote sensing based
technique was developed for automated detection of forest cover loss of an area
greater than 2 hectare for rapid annual monitoring. The forest pixels are identified on
Resourcesat-2 AWiFS data (20 x 20 tiles) for Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh,
Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West
Bengal).

Study on Sundarban mangrove system: The mangrove ecosystem of Sundarbans

region plays an important ecological and socio-economical role in both India and
Bangladesh. The present study is aimed at analysing the impact of cyclone of varying
intensity and at different period of phonological cycle on mangrove forests in
Sundarbans region. MODIS time-series (2001-2011), Enhanced Vegetation Index
(EVI) and Land Surface Temperature (LST) products were used to compute the
MODIS Global Disturbance Index (MGDI). In the present study, instantaneous
disturbance caused by the super cyclones was analysed using MGDI approach. The
combined impact of 'SIDR' and 'Rashmi' was successfully captured by the MGDI
images of 2008. In case of 'Aila', the disturbed area was reasonably less in
comparison to the areas with higher EVI changes (-50% to -30%). The spatial extent
of disturbance in each island was mapped, which can further be integrated on a
temporal scale to generate spatio- temporal severity map. This will help forest
management to identify chronically disturbed areas, which may have potential for
biological invasion.

Inventory and Monitoring of Glacial Lakes/Water Bodies: The project is being

carried out at the behest of Central Water Commission. The inventory of glacial lakes
and water bodies was carried out for the year 2009 using IRS satellite data and
monitoring in the months from June to October was completed for last four years
(2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014). Similar activity for the year 2015 was taken up in June,
2015 for 477 glacial lakes and water bodies. Monthly monitoring reports are
submitted.

Assessment of Irrigation Potential Utilisation (I.P.U) using geospatial data: The

study has been initiated in April 2015 to assess Irrigation Potential Utilisation (I.P.U)
under Major & Medium (M&M) irrigation projects in Krishna basin using the geo-
spatial data. Temporal AWiFS data, canal network, project boundaries and LULC data
available under various projects (India WRIS, SIS DP, NRC) are being utilised. The
data bases such as basin, sub-basin boundaries, M&M projects, their canal network,
river/ stream network and other base layers are being organised.

Re-assessment of basin scale water resources using Space inputs: ISRO and
Central Water Commission (CWC) jointly executed demonstrative pilot studies in
Godavari and Brahmani- Baitarani river basins wherein Space based geo-spatial
inputs were used to estimate basin-level mean annual water resources. Ministry of
Water Resources recommended upscaling the study to other river basins of the
country by regional offices of CWC. CWC regional offices will carry out the study and
NRSC will provide technical support and hand holding during the study execution.

Monitoring of Gas Pipelines of Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL): GAIL has about
15,000 line km gas pipeline network in India. GAIL and ISRO have undertaken a joint
project for studying feasibility of remote sensing, as an alternative/ complement to the
helicopter survey, for monitoring the Right of Usage (ROU) of the pipeline for any
physical encroachments. A pilot study has been carried out for “Dahej-Vemar-Vijaipur”
pipeline segment of about 610 line km. Results indicates that satellite remote sensing
techniques (high resolution data) can be used to monitor the pipeline assets through
periodic repeat coverage (say monthly) during the cloud-free season. A web
application was also developed to demonstrate the usefulness and quick
communication within the GAIL monitoring teams.
Island Information System (IIS): Department of Border Management, Ministry of
Home Affairs constituted a Task force for holistic development of Islands in Maritime
zones of India, with participation of all concerned Ministries/ Departments/ Agencies.
Towards this, ISRO has prepared a geospatial inventory of all islands using satellite
images and developed an Island Information System. A total of 1238 islands have
been identified and reconciled by NRSC/ISRO, SOI, NHO and RGI. The Island
Information System (IIS) has been shared with different ministries and departments.

Monitoring of Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP)

watersheds using geospatial technologies: Bhuvan - SRISHTI, a Web based GIS
application (Geoportal), has been developed to enable monitoring and evaluation of
IWMP watersheds, using satellite remote sensing and sample field data (collected
using mobile application). This Geoportal would facilitate monitoring and evaluation of
all IWMP watersheds for 10 states and 50 identified districts in 28 states. Bhuvan -
DRISHTI, an android based interface tool, has been developed for field data capture
of the development activities undertaken for the IWMP Projects and includes a facility
to upload photos to Bhuvan IWMP Server.

Space-based Information Support for Decentralised Planning (SIS-DP): The

project aims at providing web based spatial information comprising of ortho-rectified
satellite image, thematic and field data, resource maps, cadastral maps,
administrative boundaries, infrastructure layers, climate and socioeconomic data
which will act as input for Decentralised Planning at Panchayat level. The project is
being executed by respective State Remote Sensing Applications Centres (SRSAC)
under the technical guidance and financial support from Overlay of cadastre maps
over high resolution satellite image has been completed for 5 States (AP, Telangana,
Haryana, Assam and Kerala) and 2 Districts of West Bengal; Bhuvan-Panchayats
portal version - 2.0 and Mobile app for Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRI) asset data
collection has been demonstrated for operational use. Training on decentralised
planning and use of SIS-DP data for planning is being implemented with PRIs through
Bhuvan Panchayat.

Snow and Glacier Studies: It is a joint initiative of Ministry of Environment, Forest &
Climate Change and Department of Space. Retreat/advance for 73 glaciers spread
over different parts of the Himalayan region were estimated using CORONA (1965)
and LISS-III (2001) images. Snow cover Atlas of the Bhutan was completed.

Spatial modelling of fluoride contamination in ground water:

The spatial modeling has been for fluoride distribution in ground water using
knowledge guided models, data driven models and the combination of both. Fluoride
prediction maps generated using hybrid neuro-fuzzy integrated approach compared
favourably among the four mathematical models used, namely, weighted overlay,
fuzzy overlay, artificial neural network and hybrid neuro-fuzzy models for prediction of
fluoride in ground water. Results were validated with field data.
Groundwater storage assessment coupling hydromorphology with lithology:
The standard procedure of ground water resource estimation is based on the specific
yield parameters of each rock type (lithology) derived through pumping test analysis.
However, terrain conditions in the form of geomorphological variations have an
important bearing on the net ground water recharge. An attempt was made to use
both lithology and geomorphology as input variables to estimate the recharge from
different sources in each lithology unit influenced by the geomorphic conditions (lith-
geom) season wise separately.

Surface Energy Balance over Agro-ecosystems using Large Aperture

Scintillometry: The unique advantage of Scintillometry is its ability to calculate areal
averaged sensible heat fluxes over spatial distances comparable to those observed
by satellites. The LAS system was set up in 2014 at the agricultural research farm of
Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. The LAS measures
atmospheric turbulence and heat flux over path lengths between 250 m and 6000 m.

The LAS was augmented with an Automatic Weather Station (AWS) having sensors
of net radiometer, pyranometer, anemometer (2 levels), humidity and temperature
probes (2 heights) and a soil heat flux plate at 10 cm depth. The 5 min fluxes of net
radiation (Rn), sensible heat (H), latent heat (LE) and soil heat (G) fluxes were
averaged at hourly intervals. All the fluxes were integrated over the day to analyse
their seasonal pattern. Using H and LE daily integrated fluxes, daily values of
evaporative fraction, EF = LE/ (H+LE) are calculated and analysed for their seasonal
pattern.

Monitoring and Assessment of ecosystem process in North Western Himalayas:

For sustainable environmental development, making disaster resilient society and

improved livelihood in the North Western Himalayan (NWH) region, an
interdisciplinary research project on “Monitoring and Assessment of Ecosystem
Process in NWH” is being carried out at IIRS, Dehradun involving large number of
research organisations with several sub-themes as given hereunder:

Geodynamics and seismicity investigations

Vulnerability assessment of forest ecosystems due to climate change
Sustainable mountain agriculture
Water resources status and availability
Modeling temporal and spatial growth of cities and towns in NWH
Rainfall retrieval using microwave remote sensing data and study of extreme
rainfall events

NATIONAL INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT STUDIES

(NICES):

Realising the need for a comprehensive information base to build long term data
records on various Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) for environmental and climate
studies with inter and intra-departmental linkages, ISRO formulated the National
Information System for Climate and Environment Studies (NICES). The mandate of
NICES is to build an information base for climate change impact assessment and
mitigation.

Earth Observation Application Sciences

The R&D in various field of EO is a continuous endeavour of ISRO centres.

Geosciences
Space Applications Centre of ISRO is involved in applications of remote sensing
and GIS technology in geosciences and executes several projects for societal
benefits. Some of the major thrust research areas are related to coastal and
marine geosciences, geodynamics, geo-hazards, mineral, hydrocarbon and geo-
archaeological exploration.

Agriculture
Production forecasting of important agricultural crops using satellite remote
sensing data initiated under the project “Crop Acreage and Production
Estimation” by Space Applications Centre and carried out over a period of two
decades at the behest of Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India (MOA).
Subsequently a more inclusive model FASAL (Forecasting agricultural output
using Space, Agro-meteorology and Land based observations) was initiated in
2007-08.

Environment and climate change

Human activities contribute to climate change by causing changes in Earth's
atmosphere in the amounts of greenhouse gases, aerosols (small particles), and
cloudiness. Climate change forms one of the most important global
environmental challenges, with implications for food production, water supply,
health, energy, etc. It is essential to study the impacts of climate change and
thereby suggest mitigation measures. Goal of space based global change
observation, together with other observations and studies, is to provide a sound
scientific basis for developing national and international policy relating to natural
and human induced changes in the Earth System.

Physical oceanography
Oceans occupy almost 3/4th of the surface of our planet. They have profound
impact on climate and weather. The current research includes Advanced Ocean
State Forecast (AOSF) using numerical models and space-borne observations,
Ocean Process Studies, and development of Data Assimilation (DA) techniques.

Biological oceanography
The Ocean contains thousands of microscopic, free floating, single-celled plants
called “phytoplankton” capable of making their own food by harvesting the
energy from sunlight, carbon dioxide and nutrients present in the upper well-lit
layers of the ocean. This process known as photosynthesis also liberates oxygen
and makes possible all animal life in the ocean. Phytoplankton are the oceanic
equivalents of land plants and forms the basis of marine food chain. In addition,
they play an important role in pulling the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by
exporting the dead cells to the ocean interior and bottom sediments.

Atmosphere
The study of Atmospheric Sciences is a major programme. ISRO centre develops
state of art techniques for the analysis and forecasting of the weather and climate
from regional to global scales using various satellite data. The space based
inputs are used by IMD and other agencies for their forecasts.

Cryosphere
Cryospheric studies on the earth surface include inventory, dynamics, changes,
and interaction with hydrosphere, atmosphere etc. of snow, ice cover on land,
sea ice and permafrost. For the last more than two and half decades ISRO has
been contributing to the development of methods/techniques for extraction and
dissemination of reliable and quick information pertaining to polar and Himalayan
cryosphere using data from Indian Remote Sensing Satellites.

Hydrosphere
ISRO carries out studies related to land hydrological modeling and applications. It
involves retrieval of hydro-meteorological parameters from satellite and modeling
of Hydrological Processes from field to National scale. Timely and reliable
assessment of available water resources through satellites and models provide
important input to devise strategies and water management in the country.
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