5.11.2. Air-borne platforms

These platforms are used to collect the data from a low height above the ground or to test the performance of the sensors before they are actually mounted in the space-borne platforms. These systems cover a larger area than the ground-based methods, and offer speed in data collection.

Air-borne platforms are essentially tools used in remote sensing that operate at lower altitudes compared to space-borne platforms. They can gather valuable data from Earth's surface without needing to send satellites into space. This allows for quicker collection of data, which speeds up the entire process of data analysis and interpretation. They are particularly useful for testing sensors before they are placed on satellites, ensuring the equipment works correctly.

Imagine being a photographer standing on a hilltop trying to capture a wide view of a landscape. If you were to use a drone to take photos, you could quickly maneuver it over the area to collect many shots in a short amount of time, as opposed to hiking all over the area to take pictures manually. Air-borne platforms do something similar in remote sensing by efficiently gathering data from above.

Important airborne platforms include; balloons, aircrafts, drones/Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and laser scanners.

Air-borne platforms come in various forms, including balloons which can stay afloat for long periods, aircrafts that can cover vast distances quickly, drones that can be operated remotely for precise data collection, and laser scanners that can capture detailed surface information using laser technology. Each of these platforms has unique advantages depending on the specific requirements of the data collection task.

Think of air-borne platforms like different types of vehicles on a road. Just as a bicycle may be great for quick trips around town while a bus can transport many people across longer distances, each type of air-borne platform is suited for different tasks. A drone might work best for localized surveys, while a plane can provide expansive views of larger areas.

Aircrafts and drone offer an economical method of collecting the high resolution ground data.

Using air-borne platforms like drones or aircraft for remote sensing is often more cost-effective than launching satellites due to lower operational costs. These platforms can collect high-resolution images and data quickly, which is valuable for applications like agricultural monitoring, urban planning, and environmental assessments.

Consider how renting a car for a day can be cheaper and more practical than purchasing a vehicle for a one-time trip. Similarly, using drones for specific data collection tasks allows researchers and companies to obtain detailed information without the substantial investment required for satellite systems.

Laser based equipment are also being mounted on aerial platforms to collect the data.

Recent advancements have allowed for the integration of powerful laser technology onto air-borne platforms. This technology, often referred to as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), enables precise topographic mapping and surface characterization by capturing light reflections. Hence, the data collected can provide detailed 3D representations of the landscape.

Think of laser scanners in air-borne platforms as high-tech rulers. Just as a ruler can measure the dimensions of an object accurately, laser scanners can measure the distances and heights of various features on Earth with great precision, resulting in a detailed map of the terrain.

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