Satellite and sensor characteristics

Optical sensors

Click on each image to go to a more descriptive information page.

LANDSAT

ACRES receives and processes data from the "LANDSAT" series of satellites. Landsat MSS data has been recorded over Australia since 1972, with ACRES commencing acquisition in October 1979.

ALOS

The new Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) provides high quality, low cost Earth observation data for topographical mapping, disaster & environmental monitoring, and climate change studies. For information on ordering go to ALOS how to order page.

RESOURCESAT-1 (IRS-P6)

The Resourcesat-1 (IRS-P6) satellite provides high quality Earth observation data for integrated land and water resources management purposes.

ASTER

"ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer)" is a sensor onboard the Terra satellite, launched in December 1999. The Terra satellite also carries the MODIS sensor and follows a similar orbit to Landsat 7.

MODIS

"MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer)" is the key instrument aboard the satellites Terra (EOS AM-1), launched on 18 December 1999 and Aqua (EOS PM-1), launched on 4 May 2002.

NOAA

The "National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)" of the USA operates the series of NOAA satellites which each carry the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) sensor.

EO-1

Products derived from the Hyperion and ALI sensors on board the "EO-1" satellite are available from Geoscience Australia through a special arrangement with the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

[back to top]

 

Radar Sensors

Click on each image to go to a more descriptive information page.

ALOS PALSAR

Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar.The PALSAR instrument is an active microwave sensor for cloud-free and day-and-night observation.

 

RADARSAT-1

The "RADARSAT-1" satellite was launched on 4 November 1995. It has a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensor on board. This sensor can operate in a variety of imaging modes to suit a range of applications. Provides cloud-free and day-and-night observation.

ERS

The first satellite in this series, "Earth Resource Satellite (ERS-1)" was launched on 17 July 1991. ERS-2 was launched on 20 April 1995. Provides cloud-free and day-and-night observation.

JERS-1

The "Japanese Earth Resources Satellite-1 (JERS-1)" is a joint project between the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). JAXA is in charge of the satellite while MITI is responsible for the observation equipment. Cloud-free and day-and-night observation data are available.