<–2/”>a >Remote sensing refers to the measurement or acquisition of information about an object or phenomena from a distance without physical contact by using devices or sensors mounted on some platform. Remote sensors collect data by detecting the energy that is reflected from Earth. These sensors can be on satellites or mounted on aircraft.
Remote sensors can be either passive or active. Passive sensors respond to external stimuli. They record natural energy that is reflected or emitted from the Earth’s surface. The most common source of radiation detected by passive sensors is reflected sunlight.In contrast, active sensors use internal stimuli to collect data about Earth. For example, a laser-beam remote sensing system projects a laser onto the surface of Earth and measures the time that it takes for the laser to reflect back to its sensor.
The satellites of Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) Satellites system which are in service today are IRS-1C, IRS-ID, IRS-P3, OCEANSAT-1, Technology Experimental Satellite (TES), RESOURCESAT-1, and the recently launched CARTOSAT-1 capable of taking stereo pictures. The upcoming Remote Sensing Satellite are Cartosat-2, RISAT (Radar Imaging Satellite) and Oceansat-2.
Applications:-
- Coastal applications: Monitor shoreline changes, track sediment transport, and map coastal features. Data can be used for coastal mapping and erosion prevention.
- Ocean applications: Monitor ocean circulation and current systems, measure ocean temperature and wave heights, and track sea ice. Data can be used to better understand the Oceans and how to best manage ocean Resources.
- Hazard assessment: Track hurricanes, Earthquakes, erosion, and flooding. Data can be used to assess the impacts of a natural disaster and create preparedness strategies to be used before and after a hazardous event.
- Natural resource management: Monitor land use, map wetlands, and chart wildlife habitats. Data can be used to minimize the damage that urban Growth has on the Environment and help decide how to best protect Natural Resources.
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The Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites system is a series of satellites launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for remote sensing of the Earth. The first IRS satellite, IRS-1A, was launched in 1988. The latest IRS satellite, IRS-P6, was launched in 2016.
The IRS satellites are used for a variety of applications, including:
- agriculture: The IRS satellites are used to monitor crop growth, crop yields, and Soil conditions. They are also used to detect and map areas of deforestation and Desertification.
- Forestry: The IRS satellites are used to monitor forest cover, forest fires, and illegal logging. They are also used to assess the impact of Climate change on forests.
- Water Resources Management: The IRS satellites are used to monitor water resources, such as lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. They are also used to assess the impact of droughts and floods.
- Land use planning: The IRS satellites are used to map land use, identify land cover changes, and plan for future development.
- Disaster Management: The IRS satellites are used to monitor natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, and landslides. They are also used to assess the damage caused by disasters and to plan for relief and rehabilitation.
- Environmental monitoring: The IRS satellites are used to monitor air quality, water quality, and land degradation. They are also used to track the movement of pollutants and to assess the impact of human activity on the environment.
The IRS satellites are equipped with a variety of sensors, including:
- Multispectral sensors: Multispectral sensors collect data in multiple bands of the electromagnetic spectrum, which allows users to identify different types of land cover.
- Panchromatic sensors: Panchromatic sensors collect data in a single band of the visible spectrum, which allows users to generate high-resolution images.
- Thermal sensors: Thermal sensors collect data in the thermal infrared band, which allows users to detect temperature differences on the Earth’s surface.
- Microwave sensors: Microwave sensors collect data in the microwave band, which allows users to penetrate clouds and vegetation.
The IRS satellites have a variety of orbits, including:
- Polar orbits: Polar orbits are orbits that pass over the poles of the Earth. This allows the IRS satellites to collect data from the entire globe.
- Sun-synchronous orbits: Sun-synchronous orbits are orbits that are synchronized with the Earth’s rotation and the Sun’s position in the sky. This allows the IRS satellites to collect data at the same time of day each day, which is important for some applications, such as agriculture.
- Geostationary orbits: Geostationary orbits are orbits that are 35,786 kilometers above the Earth’s equator. This allows the IRS satellites to remain over the same point on the Earth’s surface at all times.
The IRS satellites have a variety of resolutions, including:
- Low resolution: Low resolution sensors have a spatial resolution of 100 meters or more. This is suitable for applications that require large areas to be covered, such as land use planning.
- Medium resolution: Medium resolution sensors have a spatial resolution of 10 meters to 100 meters. This is suitable for applications that require more detail, such as forestry and water resources management.
- High resolution: High resolution sensors have a spatial resolution of 1 meter to 10 meters. This is suitable for applications that require very high detail, such as disaster management and environmental monitoring.
The IRS satellites have a variety of revisit rates, including:
- Daily revisit: Daily revisit means that the satellite passes over the same point on the Earth’s surface every day. This is important for applications that require frequent updates, such as disaster management.
- Weekly revisit: Weekly revisit means that the satellite passes over the same point on the Earth’s surface every week. This is suitable for applications that require less frequent updates, such as agriculture.
- Monthly revisit: Monthly revisit means that the satellite passes over the same point on the Earth’s surface every month. This is suitable for applications that require very infrequent updates, such as environmental monitoring.
The IRS satellites have a variety of coverages, including:
- Global coverage: Global coverage means that the satellite can collect data from the entire globe. This is important for applications that require data from a large area, such as Climate Change monitoring.
- Regional coverage: Regional coverage means that the satellite can collect data from a specific region of the Earth. This is suitable for applications that require data from a smaller area, such as land use planning.
- Local coverage: Local coverage means that the satellite can collect data from a specific location on the Earth. This is suitable for applications that require data from a very small area, such as disaster management.
The IRS satellites have a variety of data products, including:
- Image data: Image data is the
What is a satellite?
A satellite is an object that orbits, or circles, a planet or other celestial body. Most satellites are man-made, but some are natural satellites, such as the moon.
What are the different Types of satellites?
There are many different types of satellites, but they can be broadly divided into two categories: natural satellites and man-made satellites. Natural satellites are objects that orbit a planet or other celestial body without being man-made. The moon is the Earth’s only natural satellite. Man-made satellites are objects that are launched into space by humans and orbit a planet or other celestial body. Man-made satellites are used for a variety of purposes, including communications, weather forecasting, and Earth observation.
What are the benefits of satellites?
Satellites provide a number of benefits, including:
- Communications: Satellites are used to transmit data and information around the world. This includes telephone calls, television signals, and Internet data.
- Weather forecasting: Satellites are used to monitor the weather and track storms. This information is used to predict the weather and warn people of potential hazards.
- Earth observation: Satellites are used to monitor the Earth’s environment. This includes tracking changes in land use, monitoring deforestation, and observing climate change.
- Navigation: Satellites are used to provide navigation Services. This includes GPS, which is used by drivers, hikers, and pilots to find their way around.
What are the risks of satellites?
Satellites also pose a number of risks, including:
- Space debris: Satellites can collide with other satellites or pieces of space debris. This can damage or destroy the satellites, which can create a chain reaction of collisions.
- Radiation: Satellites are exposed to high levels of radiation in space. This can damage the satellites’ electronics and make them less reliable.
- Hacking: Satellites can be hacked by criminals or terrorists. This could allow them to take control of the satellites and use them for malicious purposes.
What is the future of satellites?
The future of satellites is bright. Satellites are becoming more and more powerful, and they are being used for a wider range of applications. In the future, satellites are likely to play an even greater role in our lives. They will be used to provide us with communications, weather forecasting, Earth observation, and navigation services. They will also be used to monitor our Health, track our movements, and even control our homes.
Sure, here are some MCQs on the topics of remote sensing, satellites, and India:
- Remote sensing is the science and technology of obtaining information about an object or phenomenon without making physical contact with it. True or False?
- Satellites are objects that are placed in orbit around the Earth. True or False?
- India has launched a number of remote sensing satellites. True or False?
- The first Indian remote sensing satellite was launched in 1979. True or False?
- The Indian remote sensing satellites are used for a variety of purposes, including agriculture, forestry, water resources management, and disaster management. True or False?
Answers:
1. True
2. True
3. True
4. True
5. True
Here are some additional details about remote sensing, satellites, and India:
- Remote sensing is a valuable tool for collecting information about the Earth’s surface. It can be used to monitor changes in land use, track the movement of natural resources, and assess the impact of human activity.
- Satellites are used to collect remote sensing data. They orbit the Earth at high altitudes and can provide images of the entire planet.
- India has a long history of using remote sensing technology. The country’s first remote sensing satellite, IRS-1A, was launched in 1979. Since then, India has launched a number of other remote sensing satellites, including IRS-1B, IRS-1C, IRS-1D, IRS-P3, IRS-P4, and IRS-P6.
- The Indian remote sensing satellites are used for a variety of purposes, including agriculture, forestry, water resources management, and disaster management. They have also been used to map the Earth’s surface, monitor Glaciers, and track the spread of deforestation.
- India is a leader in the field of remote sensing. The country’s remote sensing satellites are used by governments, businesses, and scientists around the world.