In this learning path, we will discuss sensor systems and set out to discover the logic of current electro-optical sensing technology. In specifics, it will introduce you to the characteristics of platforms used for geospatial data acquisition (GSD) from air and space, elaborate on frame and line cameras and discusses various forms of scanners ---multispectral, hyperspectral and thermal scanners.
Platform as a moving vehicle like an aircraft or a satellite which a sensor is mounted on; to capture data from space is the first element for discussion in this learning path.
It is important for us to note that a platform with a sensor is designed and operational for a specific purpose, hence we will be introduced to the term "Mission".
Orbit is the next concept that this learning path will be introducing you to because the monitoring capabilities of a satellite-borne sensor to a large degree is determined by the parameters of the satellite's orbit. For the purpose of remote sensing, the following are the most common orbit types -- *Polar Orbit; *Sun-synchronous orbit; and *Geostationary Orbit.
The term Camera is the next element we will focus on in this learning path as a remote sensor. Basically for example we can talk about *line cameras and *frame cameras.
It is equally important to look at Scanners in this learning path. Scanners are used for sensing in a broad spectral range, from light to TIR and beyond, to microwave radiation.
The last element we will look at in this learning path is Image Characteristic to understand the following about images, thus their: *Spatial characteristics; *Spectral characteristic; *Temporal characteristics; and *Radiometric characteristics.