Types of remote sensing and

Satellite platforms and their

orbits

Tibebu Kassawmar (PhD)

Contents
1. Objective of Remote Sensing Technology
2. Types of remote sensing
3. Platforms in Remote Sensing
4. Satellite orbits
5. Comparison of conventional Arial Photography
and Remote sensing Technology
6. Advantages and disadvantages
1) Objective/purposes of RS technology

 MONITOR THE CHANGES ON EARTH

SURFACE

 LOOK
 OBSERVE
 RECORD
 MEASURE
 TAKE DECISION
 IMPLEMENT
 MAKE ASSESMENT
 BACK TO “LOOK” AGAIN
(monitor)
2) Types of remote sensing techniques

a) Based on sensors they use

• A sensor is a device that

measures and records
electromagnetic energy

Passive Vs. Active

Remote Sensing
Passive Vs. Active Remote Sensing

• Most remote-sensing systems are

passive
▫ They use energy provided by the sun, and
Earth.
▫ e.g. Aerial photographs and
most satellite systems

• Some systems are active

▫ They generate their own energy
▫ e.g. RADAR (radio detection and ranging),
LIDAR (light detection and ranging) and
SONAR(Sound navigation ranging)
▫ Used for altimetry and imaging.
3. Platforms in Remote Sensing

Ground based from 1 meter

height

Space based to 36,000 km

height
 from 1 meter
height
to 36,000 km
(4) Space Shuttel height
4. Satellite Orbits
Types of Satellite Orbits
Classification of Orbits On the basis of their Inclination
 Sun-synchronous satellite’s orbital Coverage of Earth

Sun synchronous satellites pass over any given latitude at

almost the same local time during each orbital pass. Therefore
they image their swaths at about the same sun time during each
pass, so that lighting remains roughly uniform.
 5) Conventional (Arial Photography) vs Remote
sensing Technology

Remote sensing Technology

• Large area coverage
▫ Remote sensing captures image consistently at
relatively low cost
• Extended spectral range
▫ Can record data beyond the visible spectrum
• Geometric accuracy
▫ Remote imagery can easily be be converted to
geometrically accurate spatial data
• Permanent record
Conventional A.P. vs R.S. Technology

1 The use of different and extended portions of the

electromagnetic spectrum
2 Development in sensor technology
3 Different platforms for remote sensing
(spacecraft, in addition to aircraft)
4 Emphasis on the use of spectral information
as compared to spatial information
5 Advancement in image processing and enhancement
techniques and
6 Automated image analysis in addition to manual.
The conventional Arial Photography
The Film Frames

 B&W Photos of various scales and quality (resolution)

 Bundled by roll (or “run”) but not indexed
Advantages of remote sensing
1. Global coverage 2. Synoptic view

3. Repeatability 4. Cost
 Sources and Suggested Reading

• Lillesand Thomas M. & Kiefer Ralph 1993 : Remote

Sensing and Image Interpretation, John Villey
• Campbell John B. 1996 : Introduction to Remote
Sensing, Taylor & Francis
• Floyd F. Sabins : Remote Sensing and Principles and
Image Interpretation
• Manual of Remote Sensing III Edition : American
Society of Photogrammtery and Remote Sensing
•P.J. Curran, 1985: Physical aspects of Remote Sensing
•Notes