STEM2003 Airborne Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry

This topic introduces the technology, application and issues associated with airborne remote sensing. Students will learn how to design an airborne mission for remotely piloted and piloted aircraft carrying various passive and active sensors. The theory and practice of using digital photogrammetry to measure ground and surface models will be explored, followed by the use of airborne laser scanners (LiDAR) to measure similar objects. Image processing techniques applied to airborne thermal imagery will be used to detect thermal anomalies and lifeforms. The application of airborne hyperspectral images and imaging radar will be reviewed. In this topic students will actively participate in airborne image capture from remotely piloted aircraft.

This topic aims to educate students in the design of airborne missions for the capture of remotely sensed data and in the processing of remotely sensed imagery to create products such as orthometric images, digital surface models, 3D object models and thermal maps. Students will also gain an understanding of the application of these technologies to a range of applications.

1. Design an airborne mission for a remotely piloted or piloted aircraft carrying various remote sensing equipment
2. Define image orthorectification and apply the steps involved in creating point clouds, digital surface and digital terrain models from airborne LiDAR and photogrammetry
3. Apply computer processing to airborne image capture
4. Identify the principal concepts of RADAR and hyperspectral remote sensing and their use in a range of applications
5. Successfully communicate the results of airborne image processing to remotely sensed data