Earth > geography > remote sensing > satellite remote sensing image

Look up an image:

Explore by theme

Observation of the Earth’s surface and atmosphere by a satellite equipped with a sensor.

See satellite remote sensing in : french | spanish

Instrument that itself emits the energy required to illuminate the target and receives the waves it reflects.

If the satellite in unable to communicate with the terrestrial station, data is registered onboard and transmitted later.

Instrument that receives the waves produced when the target reflects the Sun’s natural rays.

At the origin of the remote sensing process is an energy source, for example the Sun, used to illuminate the target.

When the sky is clear, the satellite captures the reflection of the Sun’s rays from the Earth’s surface.

Surface or object that reflects the Sun’s rays.

Raw data is interpreted and analyzed to extract information about the target.

Surface or object that reflects the Sun’s rays.

Raw data reaches the terrestrial station in digital form.

If the satellite in unable to communicate with the terrestrial station, data is registered onboard and transmitted later.

Phenomenon by which natural or artificial waves bounce off the target and toward the satellite.

When atmospheric conditions hide the Sun’s rays, the active sensor itself emits radiation waves.

The sensor transmits raw data, if possible immediately, to a terrestrial station for processing.