PRESENT TRENDS IN EARTH TERRESTRIAL SURFACES OBSERVATION FROM SPACE. EXPECTED PAYLOADS, DATA COOPERATION AND IMAGE ANALYSIS

Abstract

This paper presents remote sensing sensors: SPOT and LANDSAT systems are the most important providers of data in the 10-30 m spatial resolution range; NOAA (AVHRR radiometer) and SPOT4-5 (VEGETATION radiometer) provide coarse spatial resolution (-1 km) but high frequency data. Microwave sensors are more recently available (radar on board of ERSl, ERS2, and RADARSAT). The principal methods of data cooperation to get benefits of these new technologies are described. Many combinations in the field of data fusion will contribute to enhance the perception of the terrestrial surfaces. A tentative review of this domain is proposed after a recall of a general definition. Finally, the present trends in image analysis for remote sensing coming from the evolution of the orbital sensors are developed.