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Remote Sensing Assignment

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charlis agochukwu
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5 views

Remote Sensing Assignment

Uploaded by

charlis agochukwu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as ODT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Title: Orbiting Remote Sensing Satellites and Their Products: A

Comprehensive Overview

BY AGOCHUKWU CHARLIS C .

20201218834.

Introduction:

Remote sensing satellites orbiting Earth play a pivotal role in capturing data
about our planet's surface and atmosphere. This paper provides a detailed
exploration of the various types of orbiting remote sensing satellites and the
diverse range of products they offer for scientific research, environmental
monitoring, disaster management, and more.

Types of Orbiting Remote Sensing Satellites:

1. Optical Satellites:

- Optical satellites, equipped with cameras and sensors, capture imagery of


Earth's surface in visible and near-infrared wavelengths.

- Examples include the Landsat series, Sentinel-2, and the WorldView


constellation.

- Products: High-resolution imagery for land cover classification, crop


monitoring, urban planning, and natural resource management.

2. Radar Satellites:

- Radar satellites utilize microwave wavelengths to penetrate cloud cover


and capture data regardless of weather conditions or time of day.

- Notable radar satellite systems include RADARSAT, TerraSAR-X, and


Sentinel-1.

- Products: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery for mapping terrain,


monitoring changes in land cover, detecting surface deformation, and
assessing flood extent.

3. Multispectral and Hyperspectral Satellites:


- These satellites capture imagery across multiple spectral bands, providing
valuable information about Earth's surface composition and properties.

- Examples include the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging


Spectroradiometer) and the upcoming Hyperspectral Infrared Imager
(HyspIRI) mission.

- Products: Enhanced spectral information for ecosystem monitoring,


mineral exploration, and detecting environmental changes.

Orbital Characteristics:

- Satellites orbit Earth in various configurations, including polar orbits,


geostationary orbits, and sun-synchronous orbits.

- Polar orbiting satellites provide global coverage over time, while


geostationary satellites remain fixed above specific regions, ideal for
continuous monitoring of weather and environmental phenomena.

- Sun-synchronous orbits ensure consistent lighting conditions for imagery


acquisition, facilitating temporal analysis and change detection.

Products and Applications:

1. Imagery:

- Satellite imagery serves as a foundational data source for numerous


applications, including land use/land cover mapping, disaster response, and
environmental assessment.

- High-resolution imagery enables detailed analysis of urban development,


deforestation, agricultural practices, and more.

2. Elevation Data:

- Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) generated by satellite-based sensors like


SRTM and ASTER provide crucial information about Earth's topography.

- DEMs support terrain analysis, flood modeling, infrastructure planning,


and the study of geological processes.
3. Atmospheric Measurements:

- Some satellites, such as those equipped with spectrometers and


radiometers, monitor atmospheric composition, temperature, and humidity.

- These measurements aid in climate research, air quality monitoring, and


forecasting weather patterns.

Conclusion:

Orbiting remote sensing satellites offer a wealth of data and products that
contribute to our understanding of Earth's dynamic systems. From high-
resolution imagery to precise elevation data and atmospheric
measurements, these satellites play a vital role in addressing global
challenges and advancing scientific knowledge. As technology continues to
evolve, satellite-based remote sensing will remain an indispensable tool for
monitoring and managing our planet's resources and environment .

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