Future Trends in Remote Sensing Ground Station Technology

SUMMARYAn increasing number of satellites and sensors will make available a vast amount of improved earth resource imagery data. At the same time, large volumes of other data relevant to earth resources are being compiled in computerized data bases. Much of this data is amenable to graphic display.Ground stations will evolve to make efficient use of all the available data. The production of satellite and sensor independent imagery is the most important development ensuring the potential merging of different imagery and graphics data. The operational algorithms needed to achieve this end are outlined. The efficient handling of large volumes of data will require the development of data base management and interrogation methods. The increased data rates, volumes and functional capabilities will demand the use of new developments in processing hardware. These developments are discussed briefly.