Building Earth Observation Cameras

A System Engineer’s Guide to Building an Earth Observation Camera Building Earth Observation Cameras discusses the science and technology of building an electro-optical imaging system for a space platform from concept to space qualification and in-orbit evaluation. The book provides a broad overview of various Earth imaging systems with specific examples illustrating the design and development issues that impacted the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) cameras, and is based on the actual experience of the author, who was intimately involved with the development of cameras for the IRS program. It equips imaging system project managers, scholars, and researchers with the ability to look deeper into the systems that they are developing, and arms application scientists who use satellite imagery with a greater understanding of the technical aspects and terminology used in defining the performance of the image system. The text traces the historical development of imaging systems, reviews the evolution of Earth observation systems from a global perspective, and examines future trends. This interdisciplinary work: Presents technical issues associated with the design, fabrication, and characterization of the camera Provides a narrow focus and end-to-end solutions to all components involved in a successful camera-on-Earth observation system Covers various stages including image formation, optics, opto-mechanics, material choice, design tradeoffs, fabrication, evaluation, and finally qualifying the system for space use Building Earth Observation Cameras provides the tools needed to enable readers to better understand the concepts and challenges involved in building space-based Earth observation systems.

Introduction Remote Sensing The Civilian Earth Imaging System The Indian Earth Observation Program-the evolution The Earth Observation System – The Paradigm Shift: References Image Formation Electromagnetic Radiation Some Useful Terminologies of Imaging System Aberrations Wave Optics Image Quality Evaluation Modulation Transfer Function Source of EM Radiation for Imaging Radiometric Consideration References Imaging Optics Refractive Optics Reflective and Catadioptic Systems Stray Light Control and Baffling Building Reflective Telescope References Earth Observation Camera - An Overview Spatial Resolution Spectral Resolution Radiometric Resolution Temporal Resolution Performance specification Imaging Modes On-orbit Performance Evaluation References Opto-Mechanical Scanners Principle of Operation Scanning Systems Collecting Optics Dispersive System and Focal Plane Layout Detectors System Design Considerations Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) References Pushbroom Imagers Principle of Operation Linear Array for Pushbroom Scanning CCD Signal Generation and Processing Space borne Pushbroom Cameras IRS Cameras - LISS & The IRS C/D Camera RESOURCESAT Series SPOT Earth Observation Camera Landsat -Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) Hybrid Scanner References Sub-meter Imaging Considerations for Realising High Resolution Imaging System Increasing the Integration Time Choosing Faster Optics Data Transmission Constraints on the Satellite Imaging Cameras with Sub-meter Resolution What Limits the Spatial Resolution? References Hyperspectral Imaging Hyperspectral Imaging Configuration Spectrometers - An Overview Distortions - ''Smile'' and ''Keystone'' Effects Hyperspectral Imaging Instruments References Adding the Third Dimension - Stereo Imaging Stereo Pair Generation Geometries Along-Track Stereo Using Multiple Telescopes Stereo Pairs with Single Optics References Journey from Ground to Space Launch Environment Space Environment Space Hardware Realisation Approach Environmental Tests Reviews Parts/Components Procurement Reliability and Quality Assurance References Appendix. Representative Imageries

Dr. George Joseph started his career in 1962 at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, where he was involved in the study of cosmic rays. For his pioneering work on the detection of the emission of neutrons from the sun, he was awarded a PhD in 1971. In 1973, he joined the Space Applications Centre (SAC), one of the major centers of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), primarily for developing Earth observation systems. Under his leadership, a variety of Earth observation cameras were developed for the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) and the Indian National Satellite (INSAT).