Global positioning and remote sensing: concepts and applications

Global positioning systems (GPS) are the systems of satellites that give precise location of an object or an individual on the earth. Global Positioning System is maintained by the US, which uses 6 to 7 satellites in a constellation. Some other countries either have their own regional systems or are in the process of putting one into operation, the Global Positioning is immensely useful in military operation; in search and rescue operations, for mobile users; in cartography and terrain mapping in aviation. Remote sensing is the technology that senses the presence or absence of an object or material or a physical entity; sometimes even revealing its nature. Normally, it is used in the context of sensors fixed on aeroplanes, spacecrafts and satellites. The main idea here is that the sensors are placed remotely and the interpretation module is closer to the scientists on the earth. The practical applications of these systems are many and include fields such as air traffic control, determining terrain trafficability, knowing crop health and deforestation, searching for mineral locations, detecting underwater objects using SONAR and aerial photography (satellite weather maps) and LANDSAT imaging. People are typically not aware of the technologies that go into everyday applications they take for granted. Readers will get enthused when they learn about the complex and exciting technologies that make their life easy, from the book. At the same time the book offers substantial material on the immense possibilities of applying these technologies, and exploring further.