Sensors Technology For Earth Observation : An ISRO Perspective
- Paper number
IAC-07-B1.3.01
- Author
Mr. Kiran Kumar Seelin, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India
- Coauthor
Mr. Tapan Misra, India
- Year
2007
- Abstract
ISRO has an active earth observation from space programme designed to meet the demands of national users and has also been providing the data from these programmes internationally. The sensor technology used has seen a steady progress and ISRO has been able to adopt the newer technologies to cater to observational demands in Visible, near infra red, infrared and microwave spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation. Adoption of push broom technology for imaging in visible, near infrared and shortwave infra red along with use of multi tier imaging from a single platform enabled ISRO to provide operational service to a host of users with very high repetivity The advantages of push broom technology for ocean color observations was utilized to provide operational Prospective fishing Zone forecasting. This technology was also utilized to realize a dedicated high resolution stereo mission catering to the DEM generation demands of the country. The use of pushbroom technology along with apparent velocity reduction techniques has enabled realization of high resolution imaging capability to meet urban planning and cartography demands. Use of Whisk broom technology imaging has been adopted for meeting the needs of meteorological users. There is a continuous growth in the capabilities of the observational capabilities from Geo stationary platform. Starting from two channel imager the capability is being extended to six channel imager and 19 channel sounder. Use of microwave technology to meet the observational needs during monsoon periods for many of the applications has been adopted by ISRO and a number of missions are being planned and at various stages of realisation. Both active and passive sensor technology are being pursued for this purpose. Evolution of Microwave Remote Sensing technology had a nascent beginning in the three channel radiometer in Bhaskara series of satellites in 1982 time frame. Subsequently, four frequency, eight channel microwave radiometer payload was flown in Oceansat-1 satellite in 1999. ISRO’s ambitious programme of RISAT (Radar Imaging Satellite) is expected to come to fructification in 2008. RISAT carries a multimode SAR system capable of imaging in wide range of resolution and swath modes. This payload will also encase sophisticated active antenna technology. For ocean wind monitoring purpose, Ku band scatterometer is being developed and it is in advanced stage of realisation. This payload will be a co-passenger on-board Oceansat-2 satellite, scheduled for launch in the last quarter of 2007. Additionally, along with space borne SAR system, airborne SAR system technology is being pursued for specific applications like flood mapping, which require quick response time. Presently, DMSAR (Airborne SAR for Disaster Management) is under user trial and is likely to be operational from flood season of 2007. This paper brings out the technology adoption, perspectives of the past present and immediate future observation systems.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-B1.3.01.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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