Remote sensing data

Remote sensing data is digital information that was obtained from the earth's surface by satellites , aircraft or drones , i.e. has a direct geographic reference .

The primary data obtained through remote sensing are converted into single and multi-colored images or maps with the help of digital image processing and the secondary data resulting therefrom . More rarely, data is available as numerical values ​​in tabular form.

Technical classification

• Resolving power (scanned area e.g. MMS: 185.2 km × 474 m)
  • Pixel resolution (the area integrated by 1 pixel, e.g. SPOT-PAN: 10 m × 10 m)
• Spectral resolution (in which wave range is the scanning e.g. blue light)
• Radiometric resolution (number of information in bits e.g. SPOT-HRV: 8 bit)
• Thermal resolution (ability to detect temperature differences)
• Temporal resolution (reflux of the area e.g. Landsat 1: 18 days)

Platforms

• IKONOS
• KOSMOS (military)
• Landsat
  • Landsat 1-3_MSS
  • Landsat 4-5 TM
  • Landsat 7 ETM +
• TERRA
  • ASTER
  • MODIS
• SPOT (Satellite Pour l'Observation de la Terre)
• NOAA
• Meteosat
• QuickBird
• Space shuttle
  • Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM)
• HYMAP
• High platform

Passive recording systems

• Multispectral scanner (MSS)
• Thematic Mapper (TM)
• Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM +)
• ASTER
• Modular Optoelectronic Multispectral Scanner (MOMS)

Active recording systems

• Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)

Image interpretation

An important area of ​​remote sensing data is the interpretation of the data obtained. Examples of this can be found at:

• Visual interpretation
• Automatic classification
• Elevation models

Public domain data sources

Numerous government agencies make the data obtained with public money available to the public.

SRTM data

See SRTM data

LANDSAT data (older)

The Earth Science Data Interface (ESDI) of the Global Land Cover Facility (GLCF) at the University of Maryland provides older but complete data sets in full resolution:

1. Landsat Orthorectified ETM + complete datasets
2. Landsat OrthorectifiedTM complete datasets
3. Landsat 1-3 MSS Full data complete data sets

• Link to the ESDI of the GLCF

Note: information are in the public domain.

LANDSAT data (new)

The USGS Global Visualization Viewer offers the latest preview views in greatly reduced resolution for the following products:

1. Landsat 4-5 MSS 1000m & 480m
2. Landsat 1-3 MSS 1000m & 480m
3. Landsat Orthorectified ETM + 1000m & 240m
4. Landsat Orthorectified TM 1000m & 480m

• Link to the USGS-GVV

Note: USGS-authored or produced data and information are in the public domain.

SPOT data

The USGS also offers good images with a resolution of ≈15 m from older SPOT data:

• Link to the USGS Geospatial Engine

Note: USGS-authored or produced data and information are in the public domain.