Technological Constraints On The Use Of Thermal Imagery For Remote Sensing

The use of satellite-borne sensors for remote sensing in the visual waveband in now a well established technique. There are many application areas in which an extension into the thermal waveband has been shown to be beneficial. The technology for such infrared (IR) satellite systems is arguably less well developed than that for the visible sensors, for instance compared with the high spatial resolution and area coverage of modern commercial satellites such as the French SPOT series. Infrared technology has, however, progressed markedly in recent years for terrestrial requirements - the application of these advances to the remote sensing area is therefore studied. The constraints imposed by using terrestrial IR system technologies in space-based remote sensing systems are outlined and an indication given of the future requirements on IR sensor components for space applications.