THE USE OF REMOTE SENSING SYSTEMS FOR ACQUIRING DATA FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PURPOSES; REPORT 1,A PROCEDURE FOR PREDICTING IMAGE CONTRASTS IN PHOTOGRAPHIC REMOTE SENSOR SYSTEMS

摘要

Airborne remote sensors provide a potentially expedient technique for obtaining environmental data for baseline descriptions of multi purpose military installations or of impact of activities on the environment within a reasonable time and cost framework. Although the feasibility of using remote sensing techniques for these purposes has been demonstrated, the acquisition of imagery of sufficient quality to provide the necessary data for the many and diverse environmental features and phenomena of interest requires systematic and quantitative planning. This report presents an analytical procedure (referred to herein as the remote sensing simulation model) that provides a means for selecting a sensor system and mission profile objectively to enhance imagery for specific purposes. The model is computerized and calculates the amount of contrast that will occur between two features of interest on a photographic image as a function of reflectance properties of materials, atmospheric conditions, solar zenith angle, sensor altitude, and sensor characteristics. Illustrations of model application to two hypothetical problems are given. The remote sensing simulation model provides a general tool for acquisition of photographic remote sensing techniques and evaluation of the applicability of these techniques to specific or general problem areas.