Remote sensing satellites such as RESOURCESAT are usually placed in polar : (a) Low Earth Polar orbit (b) Sunsynchronous orbit (c) Geosynchronous orbit Codes :
Satellite Orbits for Remote Sensing
Remote sensing satellites, like RESOURCESAT, are designed to observe the Earth's surface. Their orbit choice depends on the mission's goals, such as achieving global coverage and consistent imaging conditions.
Low Earth Polar Orbit Relevance
Satellites in a Low Earth Polar orbit (LEO Polar) orbit the Earth roughly from pole to pole. As the Earth rotates beneath the orbit, these satellites can eventually scan the entire planet's surface. This broad coverage is essential for comprehensive remote sensing applications.
Sunsynchronous Orbit Advantage
A Sunsynchronous orbit (SSO) is a specific type of polar orbit. In an SSO, the satellite passes over any given point on Earth at the same local solar time each day. This consistency is critical for remote sensing because it ensures that lighting conditions (sun angle) are similar for images taken on different passes, making data analysis and comparison reliable over time.
Geosynchronous Orbit Limitation
A Geosynchronous orbit (GEO) is much higher and causes the satellite to remain over a fixed point on the equator. While useful for continuous communication or weather monitoring of a specific region, GEO is generally too high for the detailed surface imaging required by satellites like RESOURCESAT, and it doesn't provide the global polar coverage needed.
Conclusion on Orbit Types
Based on the requirements for global coverage and consistent lighting for detailed Earth observation, both Low Earth Polar orbits and Sunsynchronous orbits are suitable for remote sensing satellites like RESOURCESAT. Geosynchronous orbits are not typically used for this purpose.
Therefore, the correct options are (a) Low Earth Polar orbit and (b) Sunsynchronous orbit.
Important Questions from Remote Sensing - Teaching
- Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and other labelled as Reason (R). Select your answer from the codes given below :
Assertion (A) : Remote sensing is defined as the science and art of acquiring data about earth's objects from a distance without physical contact.
Reason (R) : The collection of data is only conducted by means of remote sensors installed in aircraft and satellite.
Codes: - Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and other labelled as Reason (R). Select your answer from the codes given below :
Assertion (A): Change detection in remote sensing is the process of identifying differences in the state of an object or phenomenon
Reason (R) : The use of GIS facilitates for digital change detection
Codes: - Most suitable spectral region for studying Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect is :
- Delineation of water - nonwater boundary in remote sensing is best done using :
- DEM (Digital Elevation Model) is best represented using :
