Advantages of satellite-platform Earth observation Select the comprehensive statement about what Earth observation from satellites provides to users and analysts.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: All of these

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Satellite platforms revolutionised Earth observation by enabling consistent, repeatable, and wide-area measurements. Mission design—orbit type, revisit cycle, swath—determines coverage, temporal sampling, and illumination conditions for change detection and mapping.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Polar sun-synchronous orbits yield near-constant local solar time passes.
  • Geostationary orbits provide high-frequency sampling for weather.
  • Revisit can range from minutes (GEO) to days/weeks (LEO constellations).


Concept / Approach:
Satellites provide synoptic views due to large swaths. Sun-synchronous LEO maintains similar illumination (constant solar zenith angle) for consistent reflectance comparison. Orbital mechanics set revisit intervals enabling monitoring of vegetation phenology, disasters, and urban change.


Step-by-Step Solution:

1) Large-area synoptic view: swaths hundreds to thousands of kilometres wide.2) Consistent illumination: near-fixed local time overpasses for radiometric comparability.3) Repetition: scheduled overpasses allow time-series analysis at scales from minutes (GEO) to weeks (LEO single-sat missions).


Verification / Alternative check:
Mission specs (e.g., Landsat ~16 days, Sentinel-2 ~5 days constellation, INSAT/GOES continuous) corroborate these points.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Picking any single feature omits the broader capability; all are valid.
  • None of these: Incorrect since satellites offer all listed advantages.


Common Pitfalls:
Assuming “constant illumination” implies identical bidirectional reflectance every pass; surface anisotropy and atmosphere still matter.


Final Answer:
All of these

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