Earth observing satellite plans in India

Abstract

One of the major objectives of the Indian Space Programme is to develop, launch and operate earth observing satellites to cater to the data needs of the remote sensing user community. Towards this, development of suitable multispectral sensors through satellites and aircraft have played a crucial role. The Rohini and Bhaskara satellites launched during early 1980's provided the base for further development. Presently the first of a series of Remote Sensing satellites, IRS-1A is in orbit and is providing data. The necessary expertise to utilise the remotely sensed data was developed through a set of application projects under Indian Remote Sensing Satellite - Utilisation Programme (IRS-UP) and Remote Sensing Application Mission (RSAM) being carried out with active collaboration of several Central/State user departments/agencies. The application projects cover several themes such as agriculture, water resources, forestry, soil, marine resources etc. in addition to natural calamities such as flood and drought. The IRS-UP projects initiated in 1983, has helped in developing several methodology packages for operational utilisation of remote sensing for natural resources monitoring. Nationwide projects such as Wasteland Mapping, Drinking Water Technology Mission etc. have remote sensing as a major input. Towards ensuring requisite infrastructure and facility, 5 Regional Remote Sensing Service Centres are being operationalised with VAX-11/780 computer based image processing system, in addition to setting up of remote sensing centres in each State/Union Territory. The training of adequate manpower has been another area of attention. The country is poised to reap the advantages of remote sensing technology towards its development.