What are Satellite/Sensor Characteristics

Satellite/Sensor Properties for Image Processing

This article will bring information and characteristics of satellite/sensor.  It is very important to know the characteristics of satellite image, this help user to select and acquire satellite image as per need of research and project. 

Image can be select based on mapping purpose and for this basic properties are very important for selection of satellite image, which are below-

• Spectral Resolution
• Spatial Resolution
• Temporal Resolution

These properties play significant role for better image classification as per requirement of project. These properties will help to select appropriate image as per need of project for example in first case, spatial resolution may be important if detail information required but in other case if repeatedly satellite images required then temporal resolution become important.

Instead of these resolution swath of satellite image is also important as it describe the coverage of satellite image.

Below some significant satellite/sensor properties discussed.

World View-III

Launch Date	August 13, 2014
Orbit	Sun Synchronous
Altitude	617 Km
Spectral Resolution	Panchromatic: 450-800 nm 8 Multispectral: Visible and NIR; Wavelength Range- 400 nm - 1040 nm 8 SWIR: Wavelength Range 1195 nm - 2365 nm
Spatial Resolution	Panchromatic  Band- 0.31m, Multi Spectral Bands- 1.24m
Temporal Resolution	4.5 days
Radiometric Resolution	11-bits Pan and MS; 14-bits SWIR
Swath	13.1 KM

QuickBird

Launch Date	October 18, 2001
Orbit	Sun Synchronous
Altitude	450 Km
Spectral Resolution	Pan: 450-900 nm Blue: 450-520 nm Green: 520-600 nm Red: 630-690 nm Near IR: 760-900 nm
Spatial Resolution	Pan: 61 cm; Multi Spectral: 2.60 m
Temporal Resolution	1-3.5 days
Radiometric Resolution	11-bits Pan and MS; 14-bits SWIR
Swath	16.8 Km/18 Km

IKONOS

Launch Date	24 September 1999
Orbit	Sun Synchronous
Altitude	681 Km
Spectral Resolution	Pan: 450-900 nm Blue: 450-520 nm Green: 520-600 nm Red: 630-690 nm Near IR: 760-900 nm
Spatial Resolution	Pan: 1m; Multi Spectral: 4 m
Temporal Resolution	3 days
Radiometric Resolution	11-bits
Swath	13.8 Km

SPOT-7 

Launch Date	30 June 2014
Orbit	Sun Synchronous
Altitude	694 Km
Spectral Resolution	Pan (450 nm – 750nm) Blue (455 nm –525 nm) Green (530 nm –590 nm) Red (625 nm – 695 nm) Near-Infrared (760 nm – 890 nm)
Spatial Resolution	Pan: 1.5m; Multi Spectral: 6 m
Temporal Resolution	1 day
Radiometric Resolution	12-bits
Swath	60 Km

CARTOSAT-2

Launch Date	30 June 2014
Orbit	Sun Synchronous
Altitude	630.6 Km
Spectral Resolution	Pan (500 nm - 850 nm)
Spatial Resolution	Pan: 1 m
Temporal Resolution	4/5 days
Radiometric Resolution	10-bit
Swath	9.6 Km

LISS-IV

Launch Date	20 April 2011
Orbit	Sun Synchronous
Altitude	817 Km
Spectral Resolution	Green Red NIR
Spatial Resolution	5.8 m
Temporal Resolution	5 days
Radiometric Resolution	10-bit
Swath	70 Km