Data base requirements for remote sensing and image processing applications

Abstract

Remote sensing of the earth has evolved from a film based, manual interpretation technology to a digital multispectral and multisensor technology with significant machine processing for correction, information extraction, data management, and modelling. This transition is not without growing pains. Of the 1015 bits of data that are currently acquired per year in the NASA program, only about 1013 bits are utilized. Future programs involving higher resolution and wider spectral range sensors will increase the data acquisition rates by an order of magnitude. Technological problems exist today in data correction, information extraction, processing, storage, retrieval and dissemination. This paper will identify some of the data base requirements for future programs, and discuss technological approaches for improving the handling and processing of remotely sensed data. Fundamental to this approach is the concept of a global data and information base that is geographically accessible, contains data from all earth observation programs, and is easily and economically disseminated. This capability is needed, and the technology is available for its implementation.