In the present scenario of India’s new policy on space program, a lot private companies and startups are ventured into or actively involved in synergizing the existing business with the space program, investing in the development of technology on various satellite systems and involved in the innovation on niche segment of space technology. Satellite-based earth observation, navigation and communication are the three major space segments. Earth observation from space provides a synoptic view and global coverage which helps in monitoring, forecasting and managing earth resources, urbanization and other activities taking place on earth. It is estimated that the global space economy will be around 1.8 US$ Tr in 2033 and further it has been ambitiously projected that new space policy of India over a decade will lead to a cumulative annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28% in earth observation segment from the 0.5 US$ Bn of 2022.

Remote sensing is a method of acquiring information about an object or its phenomena without making a physical contact. The interested object or phenomena are mostly inferred by measuring some other parameter that object or phenomena exhibits rather than that itself. Observation of earth from space can be made through the measurement of properties of electromagnetic radiation interaction with its surface. The earth’s atmosphere plays a significant role in the selection of electromagnetic spectrum for sensing. In general, optical remote sensing is represented by observation carried out over the wavelength span from 400 to 900 nm of electromagnetic spectrum.

In the beginning, this Workshop introduces the concept of signatures in remote sensing, a certain aspect of electromagnetic radiation, fundamental of radiometry, and influence of Sun and atmosphere in earth observation.

Based on those introductions, the Workshop will touch upon remote sensors classification and further categorization of it such as spatial, spectral, radiometric and temporal resolution. Subsequently the participant gets to know sensor parameters that specifies the performance of those categorization and thematic applications.

With a brief introduction of various major modules namely optical, detector, electronics and mechanical, and their salient parameters that define an optical remote sensor, the Workshop will give a practical experience of system design of remote sensor for a given thematic application. Further the derived system requirements and specifications on various modules of remote sensor are explained to the participants. The Workshop will also introduce the participant to various aspects, requirements and specifications in general, for a space borne optical remote sensor. This Workshop will also bring out various aspects that require trade-off study in arriving at a practical remote sensor.

After attending the Workshop session, the participants will be able to:

• Understand the principal behind the optical remote sensing and space borne remote sensing
• Identify various possible thematic applications of optical remote sensors
•  Generate remote sensor parameters and specifications required for a given application
• Understand various modules of an optical remote sensor and the required functionalities
• Carry out system design of a remote sensor, trade-off studies and arriving at a final sensor specification.
• Define requirements and design optical remote sensor for a space borne platform.

Session organization, Schedule and Format:

The Workshop is divided into two sessions of ~45 minutes each,
The first session covering Introduction to optical remote sensing includes electromagnetic interaction of matter, fundamental of radiometry, aspects of remote sensing of earth and classifications of remote sensors and,
The second session covering optical remote sensing for various thematic applications, modules of optical remote sensor, aspects of system design with a select thematic applications, requirements for optical remote sensor for space borne platform.
End of each session planned to have a 10 minutes interaction and clarifications on those aspects covered in Workshop with participants.

Target Audience:

This Workshop is designed to give not only basic understanding on electro optical sensor for space borne remote sensing but also to give practical aspects of sensor system design. In view of present scenario on space program in India, the Workshop will attract participation of professionals of private industry/ startup who engaged or intended to engage in space borne as well as ground based optical remote sensing. Further this Workshop provides an opportunity to graduate and post graduate students and researcher in field of engineering physics, optical engineering, solid state physics, electronics and mechanical to get practical aspects of academic learning on the electro optical sensor for space. Overall, the Workshop will likely to attract those who are looking to build confidence on their ongoing effort on electro optical sensor development, and for enrichment or broaden understanding on building of earth observation system.