EM 1110-2-2907
1 October 2003
Chapter 1
Introduction to Remote Sensing
1-1 Purpose of this Manual.
a. This manual reviews the theory and practice of remote sensing and image
processing. As a Geographical Information System (GIS) tool, remote sensing provides a
cost effective means of surveying, monitoring, and mapping objects at or near the surface
of the Earth. Remote sensing has rapidly been integrated among a variety of U.S. Army
Corps Engineers (USACE) applications, and has proven to be valuable in meeting Civil
Works business program requirements.
b. A goal of the Remote Sensing Center at the USACE Cold Regions Research Engi-
neering Laboratory (CRREL) is to enable effective use of remotely sensed data by all
USACE divisions and districts.
c. The practice of remote sensing has become greatly simplified by useful and afford-
able commercial software, which has made numerous advances in recent years. Satellite
and airborne platforms provide local and regional perspective views of the Earth's sur-
face. These views come in a variety of resolutions and are highly accurate depictions of
surface objects. Satellite images and image processing allow researchers to better under-
stand and evaluate a variety of Earth processes occurring on the surface and in the hydro-
sphere, biosphere, and atmosphere.
1-2 Contents of this Manual.
a. The objective of this manual is to provide both theoretical and practical information
to aid acquiring, processing, and interpreting remotely sensed data. Additionally, this
manual provides reference materials and sources for further study and information.
b. Included in this work is a background of the principles of remote sensing, with a
focus on the physics of electromagnetic waves and the interaction of electromagnetic
waves with objects. Aerial photography and history of remote sensing are briefly dis-
cussed.
c. A compendium of sensor types is presented together with practical information on
obtaining image data. Corps data acquisition is discussed, including the protocol for se-
curing archived data through the USACE Topographic Engineering Center (TEC) Image
Office (TIO).
d. The fundamentals of image processing are presented along with a summary of map
projection and information extraction. Helpful examples and tips are presented to clarify
concepts and to enable the efficient use of image processing. Examples focus on the use
of images from the Landsat series of satellite sensors, as this series has the longest and
most continuous record of Earth surface multispectral data.
1-1
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