Skip to main content

India remote sensing


1. Foundational Phase (Early 1970s – Early 1980s)

Objective: To explore the potential of space-based observation for national development.

  • 1972: The Space Applications Programme (SAP) was initiated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), focusing on applying space technology for societal benefits.

  • 1975: The Department of Space (DoS) was established, providing an institutional base for space applications, including remote sensing.

  • 1977: India began aerial and balloon-borne experiments to study Earth resources and assess how remote sensing data could aid in agriculture, forestry, and hydrology.

  • 1978 (June 7): Bhaskara-I launched by the Soviet Union — India's first experimental Earth Observation satellite.

    • Payloads: TV cameras (for land and ocean surface observation) and a Microwave Radiometer.

    • Significance: Proved that satellite-based Earth observation was feasible for India's needs.

  • 1981 (November 20): Bhaskara-II launched.

    • Improvements: Enhanced radiometric and optical sensors for land use, forestry, and hydrology.

    • Outcome: Successful demonstration of indigenous data analysis and interpretation.

2. Institutional Strengthening and User Involvement (1980–1985)

Objective: To integrate remote sensing into national planning.

  • 1980: Aryabhata, India's first satellite (for science/technology), laid the foundation for satellite engineering.

  • 1983: Formation of the National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS).

    • Purpose: Coordinate and integrate the use of remote sensing data with conventional data for national resource management.

    • Structure: Involved multiple user ministries (agriculture, water, forestry, etc.) and established Regional Remote Sensing Service Centres (RRSSCs).

    • Impact: Shift from experimental use to operational planning.

  • 1984: India began receiving data from LANDSAT and NOAA satellites through its own ground station in Shadnagar, Hyderabad — enhancing domestic data processing capabilities.

3. First-Generation Operational Satellites (1988–1995)

Objective: To launch and operate India's own Earth observation satellites.

  • 1988 (March 17): IRS-1A launched by the Soviet Union's Vostok launcher from Baikonur Cosmodrome.

    • Payload: LISS-I (72.5 m) and LISS-II (36.25 m) multispectral sensors.

    • Orbit: Sun-synchronous polar orbit.

    • Applications: Agriculture, forestry, water resource mapping, and soil studies.

    • Significance: Marked the beginning of the Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) series — India's first operational remote sensing satellite.

  • 1991 (August 29): IRS-1B launched — a near-identical successor with improved calibration and longer life.

    • Outcome: Data from IRS-1A/1B validated the national system for operational resource monitoring.

    • Impact: India achieved self-reliance in Earth observation for key resource sectors.

4. Second-Generation IRS Satellites (1995–2000)

Objective: To enhance spatial resolution and expand thematic applications.

  • 1995 (December 28): IRS-1C launched (from Baikonur).

    • Sensors:

      • PAN (5.8 m),

      • LISS-III (23.5 m),

      • WiFS (188 m).

    • Applications: Cartography, urban planning, and vegetation monitoring.

    • Significance: India entered the high-resolution mapping era.

  • 1997 (September 29): IRS-1D launched — similar to IRS-1C, providing stereo coverage and better radiometric accuracy.

  • 1998: Data from IRS-1C/1D began supporting international users, establishing India as a global remote sensing data provider.

5. Diversification and Specialized Missions (1999–2010)

Objective: To develop satellites tailored for thematic domains — oceans, cartography, and natural resources.

  • 1999 (May 26): IRS-P4 (Oceansat-1) launched.

    • Payload: Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) and Multi-frequency Scanning Microwave Radiometer (MSMR).

    • Use: Ocean productivity, fisheries, and climate studies.

  • 2001 (May 5): IRS-P6 (Resourcesat-1) launched.

    • Sensors: LISS-III, LISS-IV, and AWiFS.

    • Purpose: Detailed agricultural and natural resource management.

  • 2005 (May 5): IRS-P5 (Cartosat-1) launched.

    • Payload: Two panchromatic cameras providing 2.5 m stereo imagery.

    • Applications: High-resolution cartography and digital elevation models (DEMs).

  • 2007 (October 23): Cartosat-2 launched — sub-meter resolution imagery.

    • Use: Urban planning, infrastructure, and defense.

  • 2009 (September 23): Oceansat-2 launched — followed by the Megha-Tropiques and SARAL (joint missions for climate and ocean studies).

6. Modernization and Microwave Era (2011–Present)

Objective: Integration of optical and microwave sensors, enhanced revisit times, and global data distribution.

  • 2013 (April 28): Resourcesat-2 launched — continuation of Resourcesat-1 with improved radiometry.

  • 2016 (March 10): Cartosat-2C launched — 0.65 m resolution; supported Smart City and infrastructure projects.

  • 2018 (March 12): Cartosat-2F launched, maintaining high-resolution optical imaging continuity.

  • 2019 (December 11): RISAT-2BR1 launched — radar imaging satellite with all-weather day-night capability.

    • Microwave sensors: Enabled mapping even under cloud cover, marking India's operational SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) era.

  • 2020–2023:

    • Launch of EOS (Earth Observation Satellite) series — replacing IRS nomenclature.

    • Satellites: EOS-01 (RISAT-type), EOS-04 (Radar), EOS-06 (Oceansat-3).

    • Integration of optical, microwave, and hyperspectral imaging systems.

7. Current Framework and Data Access (2020s–Present)

Objective: Streamline commercial and data dissemination processes.

  • 2020: Formation of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) — a commercial arm of ISRO, responsible for marketing remote sensing data globally.

  • 2021: Launch of Bhoonidhi (Bhuvan-NIDHI) — ISRO's centralized data dissemination platform.

    • Provides access to IRS and EOS datasets for research, academia, and government users.

  • 2023–2025:

    • Integration with Digital India and Gati Shakti initiatives.

    • IRS data now forms the backbone of India's resource management, agriculture monitoring, climate resilience, and disaster response.

    • Over 15 active IRS/EOS satellites, making it the largest civilian remote sensing constellation globally.


PhaseYearsKey SatellitesMajor Achievements
Experimental1978–1981Bhaskara I & IIFirst Earth observation experiments
Institutionalization1983–1987NNRMS setupIntegration of users and ministries
First Generation1988–1991IRS-1A, 1BOperational remote sensing begins
Second Generation1995–2000IRS-1C, 1DHigh-resolution multispectral imaging
Specialized Missions1999–2010Oceansat, Cartosat, ResourcesatThematic data for various domains
Microwave & Modern Era2011–PresentRISAT, EOS seriesAll-weather, day-night, multi-sensor observation


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CREATION OF SPATIAL DATA

Spatial data creation is the process of generating, organizing, and managing geographically referenced information in a Geographic Information System (GIS). It involves converting maps, satellite images, GPS observations, and field survey data into digital datasets that can be stored, analyzed, and visualized. The quality of GIS analysis depends largely on the accuracy of spatial data creation. 1. Creation of Shapefile and Geodatabase A. Shapefile A Shapefile is one of the most widely used vector data formats developed by Esri for storing geographic features. Definition A shapefile stores the geometry and attributes of geographic features such as points, lines, and polygons. Components of a Shapefile A shapefile consists of several files: .shp – Stores geometry (shape) .shx – Shape index .dbf – Attribute table .prj – Coordinate Reference System (CRS) .sbn/.sbx – Spatial index (optional) Geometry Types Point – W...
Post a Comment
Read more

Geography of Health or Medical Geography

Health Geography (also known as Medical Geography ) is a sub-discipline of Human Geography that studies the relationships between place, environment, society, and health . It examines how spatial location, environmental conditions, and social and economic factors influence human health, disease patterns, and access to healthcare services. Health geography integrates concepts from geography, epidemiology, medicine, public health, environmental science, sociology, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to understand and improve population health. Major Components of Health Geography Health geography is generally divided into two major branches : The Geography of Disease and Ill Health The Geography of Health Care 1. The Geography of Disease and Ill Health This branch studies the spatial distribution, determinants, and diffusion of diseases across different geographical scales, from neighborhoods to global regions. It seeks t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Nature and Scope of Geography

Geography is the scientific study of the Earth's surface, its physical features, human populations, and the interactions between people and their environment. The word Geography is derived from the Greek words Geo (Earth) and Graphien (to describe or write), meaning "description of the Earth." Modern geography goes far beyond description; it seeks to explain where phenomena occur, why they occur there, how they are spatially distributed, and how they change over time. Geography is regarded as a spatial science , an environmental science , and an integrative discipline because it bridges natural sciences, social sciences, and geospatial technologies. Nature The nature of geography refers to the characteristics and fundamental features that define the discipline. 1. Geography as a Spatial Science Terminology: Spatial Science A discipline concerned with the location, distribution, arrangement, organization, and interaction of phenomena in ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Historical Development of Geography in the Ancient Period

The Ancient Period marks the earliest stage in the evolution of geographical thought, extending from approximately 3000 BCE to the 5th century CE . During this period, geography evolved from simple descriptions of the Earth's surface to systematic scientific inquiry. Early civilizations developed geographical knowledge to meet practical needs such as navigation, trade, agriculture, military expansion, taxation, and administration . The greatest contributions came from the Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Indian, Chinese, Greek, and Roman civilizations , with the Greeks laying the foundations of scientific geography . Meaning Terminology: Historical Development Historical development refers to the gradual evolution of geographical knowledge, concepts, methods, and theories over time. Concept Geographical knowledge evolved through: Observation of the natural environment Exploration and travel Cartography (map-making) Astronomical observations ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Remote Sensing: Energy Sources, Wave Model of Electromagnetic Energy, and Quantum Theory of Electromagnetic Radiation

Remote sensing is the science of collecting information about the Earth's surface without physically touching it . It works by detecting and measuring electromagnetic radiation (EMR) that is emitted or reflected by objects. 1. Energy Sources What is an Energy Source? An energy source is anything that produces electromagnetic radiation (EMR). Without energy, remote sensing cannot detect objects. Definition Energy Source: The origin of electromagnetic energy that illuminates or is emitted by an object so that a sensor can detect it. Types of Energy Sources A. Natural Energy Source (Passive Remote Sensing) The Sun is the most important natural energy source. Produces visible light, infrared, and ultraviolet radiation. Sunlight travels through space and reaches the Earth. Objects absorb part of this energy and reflect the remaining energy. Satellites measure this reflected energy. Examples ...
Post a Comment
Read more