Examines issues related to the development and operation of publicly funded U.S. and foreign civilian remote sensing systems. Explores the military and intelligence use of data gathered by civilian satellites. Examines the outlook for privately funded and operated remote sensing systems. Numerous charts, graphs, tables and photos.

Analyzes the case for developing a long-term comprehensive strategic plan for civilian remote sensing, and explores the elements of such a plan, if it were adopted. Also enumerates many of the congressional decision needed to ensure that future data needs will be satisfied. Appendices include: a survey of national and international programs, a brief history of Landsat and more. Charts, tables and graphs.

Analyzes the case for developing a long-term comprehensive strategic plan for civilian remote sensing, & explores the elements of such a plan, if it were adopted. Also enumerates many of the congressional decision needed to ensure that future data needs will be satisfied. Appendices include: a survey of national & international programs, a brief history of Landsat & more. Charts, tables & graphs.

Since the first civilian remote sensing satellite was launched in 1960, the United States has come increasingly to rely on space-based remote sensing to serve a wide variety of needs for data about the atmosphere, land, and oceans (table 1-1). Other nations have followed the U.S. lead. The vantage point of space offers a broadscale view of Earth, with repetitive coverage unaffected by political boundaries Recent advances in sensors, telecommunications, and computers have made possible the development and operation of advanced satellite systems (figure 1-1) that deliver vital information about our planet to Earth-bound users. Many Federal agencies, including the Department of Defense (DoD), use remotely sensed data to carry out their legislatively mandated programs to protect and assist U.S. citizens and to reserve and manage U.S. resources. For routine observation of weather and climate, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operates two environmental satellite systems. DoD also operates a system of environmental satellites' The scientific satellites and instruments of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) probe Earth's environment for scientific research. Future NASA scientific satellites will include NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS), a series of sophisticated, low-orbit satellites to gather global environmental data and assist in assessing global environmental change.