الرؤية المستقبلية لتطور الوسائل والأجهزة للاستشعار عن بعد....Future vision for the development of methods and devices for Remote Sensing

Future vision for the development of means and devices


Can be said: The present century will witness a new era in which human presence to support the effective outside the vital area of the globe. Achieving this depends, in essence, on the availability of secure international cooperation for common action to ensure the development rights and resolving problems on the ground, is no longer possible to imagine modern human civilization without space.


Operation control centers have basic biology of the human race and civilization of the traffic, war and peace is moving at an accelerated rate from the Earth to space, the earth was going on around now regularly nearly 500 satellite for the purposes of navigation, communications, weather, photography, and control of environmental conditions and natural resources. The United States has one of those satellite Luna 200, including 100 units to serve military purposes.


First: the increasing role of remote sensing science


Became aware of remote sensing more of a role in providing accurate information about the various places on the Earth's surface, where the progress of this science made tremendous progress in recent years, did not become limited to the primitive means of aerial photography, but now includes the use of equipment and methods are very cutting-edge science modern progress.


These devices include the use of property different goals of non-visual reflection of radiation, such as infrared [1], or the use of radar waves [2], and radio waves, with sent to ground stations, and receiving and recording after it bounces.


Also relies on the use of modern devices feature self-radiation of objects of different infrared, whereupon the special equipment to receive these rays, and recording and presentation of different ways, but this means the ability to recent exploration of the night, and at high altitudes, and without the use of any lighting at all, but that for some These modern capabilities to detect targets and installations, some hidden, or buried under the earth's surface, and the great depths, and in the darkness of the night.


The introduction of these techniques huge, the photography is only part of a complex process, dependent on the exploitation of all thermal properties, and characteristics of reflection, and absorption of electromagnetic waves of objects in the visible [3], or invisible.


And these methods become more than the capacity of ordinary methods of aerial photography, where the satellites and reconnaissance aircraft, flying at high altitudes to monitor every spot on the Earth's surface, and constantly, day and night, and it carries cameras, and send some of those images immediately to the reception centers ground for study and draw information from them, in accordance with the requirements of research and objective of the study.


Second: The future vision for the use of balloons in remote sensing


As the balloon flights of pilot scientific day or two only, it requires, mostly, a large number of flights to end the tests. There is only one way to "get around" this situation in the launching of balloons near the polar regions to take advantage of daylight or darkness permanent practice.


Indeed, agency released a "NASA" a limited number of balloons from the state of Alaska, and Antarctica, which provides continuous daylight during the summer survival of airships flying period ranged from two to three weeks. When completed the experiment, the radio sends a signal to separate him from the balloon net, which is being lowered to the ground by parachute in order to be restored and used again, in most cases, the balloon is also falling on the ground and indispensable.


1. Balloons to fly at high altitudes


Researchers focus their attention on the higher areas of the Earth's atmosphere, working on the design balloons can remain in those areas for up to 155 days. And plans to launch a huge balloon from Australia or New Zealand, being built at Goddard Space Flight Center, told "NASA", in order to fly to foreign reinforcements for the Earth's atmosphere, ie at a height of four times higher than the increase which jets can access it.


Since the balloon will be connected to the Internet by satellite via a ground station, scientists will be able to get the information recorded by the installed devices, including information on the quantities of elements in cosmic rays of galaxies.


Also, the project for the construction of a balloon capable of flying in space for long periods too, will also carry the hopes of many scientists who believe in the technology of balloons and economical means of studying the upper atmosphere of the Earth and outer space. Valmnatid can be launched at a cost equivalent to a fraction of the cost of the rocket fire, as well as the possibility of restoring the installed hardware and use again.


2. The achievements of scientific balloons


Achieved scientific balloons reached heights of 52 km, carrying loads reached 3600 kg. And because the balloons can fly with a long-standing in space to rise to the edge of the upper limits of the layer of the "stratosphere" Stratospher, where there is no confusion about the air, it would be possible, in the day, loaded telescope orbit compete with high-capacity mechanism telescope "Hubble", launched in April 1990, in his ability to see the universe, (see the picture of the Hubble Space Telescope). This telescope will be of such magnitude that can not be loaded on a missile.


3. Balloons for long journeys


For flights of long duration, and those to be carried out between the planets, researchers need to balloon quite different and have enhanced capabilities to a large extent. And in 1997 launched the Office of Space Science to the "NASA" draft prolonged balloon flight, (see the picture of a balloon sensors to cosmic rays).


This project aims to build an airship capable of flying for up to 100 days. EXTENDED and the balloon flight is a type of high pressure balloons, or "closed", which is released during venting some of the gas to the atmosphere, traditional Kalmnatid.


As the flight of long-term needs to balloons ready for flight in the most difficult environmental conditions, such as aviation over the oceans or deserts or polar ice, the materials used in their manufacture should be strong and adapted to these circumstances. These materials must be resistant to rupture and disintegration caused by ultraviolet radiation, as well as the possibility of production at low cost.


Scientists have suggested the follow-up efforts through research Ptlscobat visual and other infra-red for planets outside the solar system or photographing the sun and other stars. They also proposed the use of special perspectives to look at the universe, as well as experiments carried out with chemical stratospheric new.


4. Means of transport airships


Another challenge is the means that will enable the delivery of balloons to distant planets. In our planet balloons launched from the ground, while in space, the process is reversed, as the spacecraft is carrying balloons packed in a governor determined to resist the effort of entry meant the planet's atmosphere, and then open up and inflate the balloon during descent to the planet's surface. Accordingly, the agency "NASA" is currently developing two systems to transfer Khvifti weight balloons and inflatable for space missions.


Third: the use of multi-spectral scanners


Provide remote sensing by airborne radar or on board a spacecraft, and through "multi-spectral scanning" Multispectral Scanning: MSS, and a new way to collect huge amounts of information quickly and frequently, in order to build and revision of maps.


It complements the aerial photography, and to some extent offset by the hard work, undertaken by surveyors on their feet. The latter may bring a great deal of precision in the topography, but does not provide universal coverage, in a short time, as is the case in remote sensing.


Fourth: the increasing role of other computers


The enormous appetite of computers to devour and digest the data make it possible to convert remote sensing images to the maps, and replaces the traditional paper-based digital maps stored in the memory of the computer. The major advantage of this system is that it could store information in digital form, can be converted quickly to address new geographical features into account, and can be used immediately to produce maps of the full review, or to map showing the production of certain features in the area.


These techniques have made it possible, for the first time, draw a map of the entire world from the Arctic to Antarctica, and expose every part of each country to monitor the continuous, allowing a new vision of the world and its natural resources, with all the attendant that is environmentally, economically and politically. Which has only now begun to be appreciated.


What is happening in multi-spectral models, and radar, it may be a major development, but the way it deals with the computer this information does not change the way you gather information maps, but also how to produce maps, automated manner.


Using numbers


The key here is to use the "numbers", most of the map information received from the satellite comes in the form of a language of the digital computer, Chesil numbers, but need to convert existing maps into numbers, a process the process affinity "decoded" the map. Until recently, this process is a semi-manual, Felthoil map to the digital image, stirring Group electronic sensor manually click on the surface of the map, to develop a code of lines, borders and other terrain.


On the way to digital systems now use more automated, which placed paper map, or image in question, click the rotary cylinder and is scanned with light-sensitive, you transfer the total content to digital form and stored in the computer, and thus are segmented topographic map module to the points of information up to 1.1 million points. And restores the technicians then these points on the video screens for editing and revision. The maps can be generated from digital information at any scale you want.


Fifth: The future vision for the development of remote sensing space


Worked natural geological forces, such as volcanic eruptions and changes in ocean currents and cycles of ice ages, the rearrangement of the surface of the planet and its climate, since its formation 4.5 billion years ago.


Today, there is scientific evidence shows that human activities accelerate the rate of overall change, even if the volume of these activities up to the rank of the geologic forces. Therefore, the scientists today need to take measurements of many throughout the world as a whole, and for a period of time, so Simulators Simulators provide the correct data to enable them to predict climate changes.


1. The use of a space-borne sensors


The Scientific Committee for "Earth observation system" [4] Earth Observation System: EOS, of the Agency "NASA" NASA has issued a report in 1988 calling for a strategic, long-term, to measure the vital signs of the land. They stressed that the Committee that the only viable way to monitor these signals, in a coherent manner, for a long time, is the use of sensors Sensors mounted on a satellite, you can see the Earth from space.


To that end, the experts in Earth observation system identifies 24 factors, play a major role both in determining the climate. These factors include: the flow of sunlight, and other types of radiation, and concentrations of greenhouse gases, and snow and ice cover, and clouds, and aerosols [5], and changes in vegetation and other features of the earth's surface.


This system makes scientists approaching very close to reaching uncover the secrets of Earth's climate better, allowing to predict future changes in it, a task that requires an unprecedented ability to distinguish natural cycles of the changes caused by humans themselves.


2. Moon "liters"


Within the system EOS (see Table series satellite program note, or the study of Earth EOS), and at an altitude of 705 km from the surface of the earth, the moon tower "liters", which was launched into orbit around the Earth in the December 18, 1999, and is controlled by a Mstharath command centers Astronautical Agency's "NASA", to perform a thorough examination of the situation of the planet. Everything from the clouds and plants, even sunlight, temperature, fire and ice, affecting the climate.


The moon began to "liters" of collecting such information daily from the whole earth. With this going on the moon, which is about the size of a bus, around the world from pole to pole, the sensitive organs to track vital signs of the Earth, respectively from different regions, within the field of "vision", and are designed moon mission "l" to measure a property of 16 24, (see the picture of climatic characteristics of the planet).


3. Additional satellites in the system


There are three other satellites orbiting the earth of the system by the EOS to the Moon "chord", and to measure other vital signs of climate, such as changes in solar output, and high winds over the oceans. If these devices remained working throughout the estimated time of survival, and if it continues the U.S. Congress in support of the system, will launch another 15 satellites, or more.


They will do a comprehensive band satellites collect data on the ground, covering a period of about 15 years, so can make accurate weather forecasts. It takes the diagnosis of climate-mediated hundreds of hours of computer, scientists need to have many years to conduct the first statistical assessment nicely.


4. Other components in the system


EOS missions of the system depends on two essential components in addition to other satellites, two of the data storage system, and people who are interpreting them. The project currently provides support to about 850 scientists, working with government agencies and academic bodies in various parts of the world.


And broadcast satellite to the ground a huge stream of numbers, requiring treatment, to become meaningful. And shall receive these numbers and address sophisticated network computers, and then take four centers, distributed across the United States, measurements and classification of those who want to distribute for free.


These free participation in the information a sharp contrast to what happened in many of the previous satellite missions that were not where the information is only available for research bodies with generous funding. The price of a single image from satellite "Landsat" Landsat, which started its launch in 1972, can be up to hundreds, even thousands of dollars. In the system EOS, some data will be transmitted in the field of satellite bandwidth X-band directly to any person with an appropriate receiving station, and is able to handle such a massive flow of information and storage.


5. Integration of sensors


The integration of meteorological sensors that make portable satellite "liters" and the other satellites of the system EOS, will enable the disengagement of thousands of causes and consequences that shape change. For example, the tracking and monitoring how long the link to patterns of deforestation, rain fall and cloud cover (see the picture of the Amazon), will help researchers to assess how they affect deforestation in the regional water cycles.


Comparing similar measurements given by the more than sensor can be no certainty that all devices "see" references itself, and means of calibration of satellite phones to function properly. Researchers also will compare measurements of other satellite measurements collected mediated dozens of other measuring devices, phones on aircraft, ships, and those on land.


Sensors and the Moon "liters" Do not wipe the surface of the Earth in the manner in which they operate lasers and radar, which sends and receives radiation, but these sensors is similar in its digital camera, as emitted from the Earth's surface bundles of energy as a result of reflected sunlight and infrared, penetrates the atmosphere to pass through openings sensors, Vtstdm those packets of energy Bkoashv Detectors specially designed, making them sensitive to certain wavelengths of electromagnetic energy.


6. Detection wavelengths


Like the way in which tuning the radio in the car, for example, different radio stations, enabling devices spectrometry Spectroradiometers portable radio on the moon, researchers from the various detection wavelengths in the radiant energy.


If these wavelengths correspond to red or green or blue, was able to easily configure a color picture can be seen with the naked eye. If the waves are not visible, Kalmujat infrared, or ultraviolet radiation, then the color visual representation of scientists to create an image with colors human eyes can read it.


7. The use of advanced sensors


To achieve all that, he used the moon "liters" new generation of sensors the following:


A. Sensor "Aster"


Sensor "Aster" Advanced Space born Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer: (ASTER) device to measure the thermal emission and reflection of the evolving mobile space, and funder of this sensor is the Ministry of International Trade and Industry of Japan, and the accuracy of spatial discrimination Resolution between 15 and 90 meters.


It measures the references to vegetation and snow cover, sea ice, and natural disasters, land use, and the temperature of the ocean, and glaciers, and clouds, (see picture taken by the sensor, "Aster").


The sensor is characterized by "concealing" the ability to move towards particular targets, and uses three sub-systems independent telescopes set up to monitor electromagnetic waves in the visible spectrum and near infrared and short wave infrared and thermal infrared.


Measures the "Aster" energy and heat, which is issued by the various surfaces of the land. This is the key vital signs to assess the radiation budget of the planet, and will be particularly useful in determining the types of rocks and soil and vegetation. Farmers can use such multi-spectral images and high excellence in the assessment of the manner in which it influences changes in surface temperature, and the ground slopes, and soil quality in the health of their crops.


The sensor can "Esther" also follow the changes that occur in other surface features, such as the decline of the avalanche and ice sheets, and the expansion within the deserts, deforestation, floods, wildfires, which will help researchers to distinguish between natural changes and those caused by man.


Since the sensor telescopes, "Aster" capable of being directed towards the rebel volcanoes (see satellite picture of a volcano), and about the objectives of other private, it can create stereoscopic images, detailed, working on significant improvements in digital topographic maps, and these pictures will expand that group collected by satellites, "Landsat" since 1972.


B. Sensor "Ceres"


Sensor "Ceres" Clouds And The Earth Radiant Energy System: CERES monitoring system of clouds and the Earth's energy radiation, the first satellite sensor to record flood of radiation through the atmosphere, and funder of this sensor is the agency of "NASA".


This is because the use of this sensor to predict the temperature changes on a global scale requires a thorough understanding of the amount of radiation entering the Earth's atmosphere or out in the form of heat and light. And researchers can not yet know the cause of the disappearance of about 8 per cent of the energy of solar radiation received by the Earth's atmosphere.


One explanation that can be put on the energy lost is that clouds and aerosols absorb energy and Ibosranha down in Earth's atmosphere, a region that has never satellites that track the flow of energy that focused on monitoring them, (see the picture of the radiation emitted from the Pacific Ocean).


To be able to quantify the role played by clouds in the system of EOS, the sensor will "Ceres", with the help of information from another sensor to measure the flow of radiation, precisely twice the accuracy of the previous sensors, both in the upper atmosphere and the Earth's surface.


And tools of measurement in the sensor, "Sears" flood in which the expansion started collecting satellite sensors on the experience of the Earth's radiation balance Earth Radiation Budget Experiment: ERPE and the Agency's "NASA", which was launched in the Eighties the twentieth century.


C. Sensor "Muppet Show"


Sensor uses "Muppet Show" Measurements Of Pollution In The Troposphere (MOPIT) for the Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere, which is called the troposphere, which is the first sensor of a satellite to trace pollutants to their sources, and uses the measure of radiation scanner technology works spectral analysis of the interdependence of gases, It is funded by the Canadian Space Agency, (see image sensor MOPITT).


Algazan and who can not escape from the sensor "Muppet Show", namely, methane and carbon monoxide, it measures the overall distribution and focus in Earth's atmosphere below. Methane is a greenhouse gas emissions, and is characterized by the ability of the families of heat equal to about 30 times the ability of carbon dioxide,


It is produced from the swamps and herds of cattle and glacial sediments at the bottom of the sea, but the output of these sources, each separately, is unknown. In some way, gather methane in Earth's atmosphere at a rate below 1% per annum. The carbon monoxide, which is released factories, automobiles, forest fires, air Afeeouk natural ability to rid itself of other harmful chemicals.


The sensor "Muppet Show", as the first sensor on the portable satellite uses spectral analysis of the interdependence of gases, can distinguish these gases from other gases, such as carbon dioxide and water vapor.


Has an entry of heat or sunlight reflected from the surface of this sensor, they Insaban through tanks containing carbon monoxide and methane, two generators have a link indicate whether any of these gases in the atmosphere.


D. Sensor "soft"


Sensor "soft" Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) is a measure of radiation multi-spectral camera angles, and measure signs of vegetation, and radiation, and natural disasters, land use, and the clouds, and aerosols. He picks up stereo images of clouds and smoke plumes by nine cameras, (see the picture of a soft sensor).


That has not shaved in space never an instance of a sensor, a "soft", narrated by "consideration" to the Earth illuminated by the sun, nine angles spaced at the same time, the sensor can gather a comprehensive picture of the reflected sunlight in four colors: blue, green, and red, and near infrared. And the way that they change the implications in terms to the other will be capable of distinguishing the different types of clouds, aerosols, and land surfaces.


And researchers can include pictures Sensor "soft" together and the use of modeling techniques to generate three-dimensional models that help them track the aerosols and smoke plumes to their sources. Since the sensor a "soft" roam the earth at the equator once every nine days, the measurements conducted from multiple perspectives, will enable researchers to better interpretation of the role of clouds and aerosols for the Earth's energy balance.


E. Sensor "MODIS"


Sensor "MODIS" (MODIS) Medium Observation Distance Imaging Spectrometer is a spectral radiometer camera on the middle distance. The signals are measured by the productivity of the ocean, and natural disasters, land use, and the temperature of land, fire, clouds, air temperature, and aerosols, and water vapor, vegetation, snow cover, sea ice, radiation, and the temperature of the ocean (see the picture measured Spectral).


And property that are unique to the sensor it is the only mobile on the moon, which, according to the surface of industrial entire planet every day or two. It uses four sets of reagents are sensitive to visible light and infrared radiation spectroscopy near infrared and short wave, medium wave infrared and thermal infrared (see the picture of spectral radiometer MODIS).


In view of the entire land area through 36 spectrally separate tracks benchmark "MODIS" an array of vital signs of the earth, than see any of the other sensors of the Moon "liters."


(1) cloud detection by the sensor "MODIS"


This sensor measures the percentage of the Earth's surface covered with clouds, almost every day, and through the window to see a strip of cleared Earth's surface, a width of 2330 km. These will enable the broad coverage of the sensor "MODIS", together with Almstharan a "soft" and "Sears", to determine the impact of clouds in the Earth's energy balance, and this is important because the clouds is still a factor in the uncertainty of global climate models (see picture snow cover eastern United States).


It contains the sensor on the new channel for the detection of high thin clouds, which are believed to contribute to global warming [6], to arrest her heat emitted from Earth's surface. And will monitor the sensor also how mixing and forms clouds of smoke aerosols in the clouds, changing its ability to absorb the energy and reversed.


With sensor "MODIS" monitor cloud cover destruction, it also helps researchers to track changes to the Earth's surface. This sensor is mapping the spread of snow and ice storms that produce them winter and low temperatures.


(2) monitoring of green spaces and natural disasters


This sensor monitors the green areas which creeps across the continents with the decline of winter and the arrival of spring as the plants thrive through it. It will record where and when to break out of disasters, Kalforat eruptions, floods and violent storms, droughts and fires, and will help guide people how to avoid harm.


The areas of the spectral sensor "MODIS" sensitive to the fire, in particular, they can distinguish the fire burning from the dormant, and provide better estimates of the amounts of aerosols and gases that are released into the atmosphere. This sensor fits perfectly with the monitoring of large-scale changes in the atmosphere, which will allow scientists a better understanding of the mechanisms of the global carbon cycle.


(3) measuring the concentrations of carbon dioxide


Despite the inability of any of the current sensors to measure concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere directly, can the sensor "MODIS" Measuring the incidence of photosynthesis in plants, and then estimate the amount of carbon dioxide they absorbed. In addition, the sensor will deliver a detailed look at marine life environment by measuring the glow Alkruvili in the oceans (see the picture of the degree of chlorophyll)