Author is a Geologist and expertised in Remote Sensing & GIS technology and has interested to carry out the work in the field of Municipal GIS and various Urban Planning.
SPACE SCIENCE
At present, Remote Sensing, GIS and GPS have become important and effective tools in diversified studies like Geosciences, Forestry and Ecology, Soil and Agriculture, Water Resources, Urban and Regional Planning etc. During early half of the twentieth century, aerial photos were used in the application of Military Surveys and Topographical Mapping. This Aerial Photography provided high spatial resolution data in three dimensions, and used for the purpose of surveying and cadastral mapping like route alignment survey or Engineering Surveys (Dam/Bridge construction) and also for urban & regional planning. However, modern remote sensing technique is providing updated and developed satellite images which are suitable for medium scale mapping to monitor, investigate, and manage the natural resources. Due to continuous research programs in space science, the remote sensing technology has become more advanced besides its various applications.
The satellite carrying different types of electro optical sensors and cameras produces digital images representing an array of digital numbers which is based on variation of radiant energy. The quality of a digital image is responsible for the resolution of sensor apart from atmospheric effect and its sensor characteristics. On the other hand, resolution is depend upon aspects of remote sensing system itself including nature, design, and performance as well as ambient condition during the sensing program and subsequent processing of the acquired data in the ground station. Day by day, quality of the sensor systems is also developing for better results.
The important and effective earth resource satellites of countries are the Landsat series of USA provide ETM+ and MSS sensor, HRV sensor of SPOT Satellite series of France providing high spatial resolution data and LISS-III, LISS IV, Pan Sensor of present IRS series of satellites like (IRS-P5 Cartosat-1,IIRS Cartosat-2,IRS-P6 Resourcesat-1, ) . At present, USA IKONOS satellite data is more demandable for large scale mapping in the geo-engineering aspect due to its higher spatial resolution and its fine sensor systems. The world's first commercial satellite the IKONOS launched in 1999 to collect black-and-white images with 1-meter resolution and multi-spectral imagery with 4-meter resolution. The India’s RESOURSAT-1, launched in October 2003 was a tremendous achievement in the constellation of Indian Remote Sensing’s (IRS) six satellites for enhancing the researches and to apply more such programmes in the field of natural resources management. The LISS-IV is one of the sensors that are carried by Satellite RESOUSAT-1 which will enable to give fine spatial details similar to MSS of Ikonos. The panchromatic camera of IRS IC and 1D have already produced good data for medium and large scale mapping in the field of different application.
GIS or Geographic Information System, which is an integrating technology, deals with spatial data commonly used in the context of Geo-Base Information System, Geo-data System, Natural Resource Information System, and Geographical Data System. Now a days, GIS have emerged as a very powerful tool because a scientist of Geology ,Geography, Geophysics ,Engineering /Soil Science can integrate the data to create a new digital database to delineate the new types of analysis and favorable modeling according to his field of interest. GIS, also known as database management system has three basic important components: Computer Hardware, Set of Application Module and Proper organizational context. Application module is a GIS software package consists of some basic technical modules like data input, storage, output, retrieve, transformation and interpretation with users. Expertise is essential and one should have the ability to use new technology in the proper organizational context. The most important characteristics of GIS to enable the analysis of spatial data and their attributes contained in the database.
Besides, Remote Sensing and GIS the other technique like the Global Positioning Systems is an associate tool to make out the success in the field of space science application. The NAVSTAR GPS (Navigation System with Time and Ranging Global Positioning System) consists of 21 satellites with 3 spare satellites that provide precise 3-D position and time information to the users. It was developed by USA in 1973 and is still being upgraded by the Department of Defense, USA. The GPS satellites act as reference points and the GPC receiver on the ground resets its position accordingly. The Global Positioning System is a powerful tool which has provided and would continue to provide the location or spatial data in geographic information system.
It may be mentioned here that the USA is the only authorized country to operate and monitor the positioning systems and the rest of the world is dependent on them for establishing global positioning system. This NAVASTAR GPS and military space technology are the strategic technologies that have helped to make them superpower over the rest of the world. USA had fought against the Afghanistan and Iraq with the help of satellite based war technology after the terror strike in to World Trade Centre. Besides it, their continuous operation and monitoring of each and every suspected country by America with the help of modern space technology have compelled other nations to frequently remind them of spying, with the motive of acquiring information through remote sensing techniques. The modernized remote sensing satellite like Ikonos, Quick Bird and Landsat having enhanced thematic mapper sensor along with sole GPS constellation procuring self better accuracy including NASA’s different mission of technology conglomearately made USA very powerful in this world.
Therefore, the Geographic Information System (GIS), Remote sensing (RS) technique, and Global Positioning system (GPS) are well recognized powerful tools in evaluating, managing monitoring of resources considering their spatial distribution capabilities. Most Government and International Organizational are adopting these technologies because of its numerous advantages over the conventional methods. Remote sensing application ranges from remote resource management for routine operation, monitoring and efficient management to favorable strategic planning. Remote Sensing and GIS are now being used in various fields along with specific applications like Environmental Management, Urban and Regional Planning, Disaster Management, Mineral Exploration and Water Resource Prospect and Management, Forest Monitoring and Management and Soil and Agriculture Management etc.
Countries like USA, France, Japan, Russia, China and India have achieved in that position that they have ability to develop their technological management of various resources for the use of mankind with the help of latest remote sensing research program. These countries have utilized and managed their resources for the development of their country to the fullest by using satellite data and geographic information system. Presently, India has also become advanced in space technology in the Asia Pacific region. Our country has come out successful in the space technological development and operational systems within three decades of launching its first satellite, Aryabhatta on April 19, 1975. Since then, India has shown a gradual progress in developing communication satellites, meterological satellites; remote sensing satellites, technological satellite and the launching of polar and geosynchronous vehicles. The heaviest satellite Cartosat –I, First education satellite EDUSAT and , indigenous GSLV , PSLV apart from enhancement of multispectral sensor like Liss-III, LISS-IV and also Panchromatic camera are the tremendous goal of success giving not only to this extra peninsular country but also to entire Asia pacific region. Moreover, as concern to the transfer of technology in terms of resource management and monitoring and evaluation, the country is harnessing the goal of success in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Institute. The ITC, Netherland , GDTA of French, RESTEC of Japan are the important center that the country,s updated research and studies significantly are going to be more advanced with the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing , Dehradun through the transfer of technology and management.
Moreover, the other remote sensing new LiDAR Technology or Airborne Altimetry LiDAR or Laser Altimetry recently developed and have more advantaged in terms of accuracy. The canopy penetration, higher data density, minimum GCP, and low cost are the major achievement apart from irrespective to weather and cloud during sensing time. Oil and Mineral resource development and exploration, Flood hazard zone and forecasting, Ground water estimation, ground water recharge, watershed prioritization, land-based mobile mapping, City Drainage Network planning, Land subsidence and landslides, vegetation and Forest Mapping and management, classification of land use/ land cover and regional planning city are possible with the help of Remote Sensing Technique which provide more accuracy besides time and cost effective.