Microwave remote sensing activities in China: present and future

Abstract

Microwave Remote Sensing has developed rapidly during the past period, becoming a leading method in remote sensing techniques, since its unique features, capability to penetrate clouds and some extent rain due to it independence from the sun as a source of illumination and other important properties different from visible and IR frequency bands, Microwave Remote Sensing becomes a key means for obtaining information from ocean, atmosphere, and land in global scale. The frequency range using for microwave remote sensing is extending to millimeter and submillimeter bands. To meet the wide requirements, China enhanced the microwave remote sensing research during the past 30 years and has got many achievements. In this paper, the microwave remote sensing activities and its achievement, the stage of the arts, the space program for microwave remote sensing are described, it also gives some strategic suggestions in future development, discusses some concepts of space borne system and gives the research areas suggested to be given priority to develop in national R&D plan. A new concept of remote sensing -- A comprehensive electromagnetic sensing system and a virtual space remote sensing are being suggested to improve remote sensing capability.