Advantages and Disadvantages of Remote Sensing | What is Remote Sensing?, Types, Limitations, Pros and Cons of Remote Sensing

Advantages and Disadvantages of Remote Sensing: At present, remote sensing technology is getting more powerful as it is used in many types of research, government policies or even in making businesses grow. Remote sensing is a method of collecting data on geographical areas or any object from a distance. By using satellites or aircraft we can collect the data by using the energy reflection we get from earth. It is helpful in acquiring facts without being physically present in the various area, especially those places which are hard to reach or dangerous. Though it is also used to contain information about other planets. If a single image is captured by remote sensing then it can be used for any application by examining the image.

Students can also find more Advantages and Disadvantages articles on events, persons, sports, technology, and many more.

What is Remote Sensing? What are its Types and Uses? Advantages and Disadvantages of Remote Sensing 2022

Remote sensing is a method of collecting data on geographical areas or any object from a distance. By using satellites or aircraft we can collect the data by using the energy reflection we get from earth. All the data which is collected through remote sensing can be used for multiple works such as many types of scientific research, improving government policies, and also many businesses related to this. Usually, the energy which is emitted, reflected or sometimes transmitted from the various electromagnetic spectrum in any geographical area is collected as data through satellite or any other aircraft which is useful in many ways. If a single image is captured by a remote sensing method from a satellite then it can be used for any application by examining the image.

Types of Remote Sensing

There are two types of remote sensing used for different tasks: active remote sensing and passive remote sensing. Let us discuss more active and passive remote sensing.

  • Active remote sensing: In active remote sensing sensors send radiation or signal then the earth’s surface reflects the signal that helps in collecting desired data. Sometimes it needs both active and passive remote sensing to work together to get data.
  • Passive remote sensing: In passive remote sensing the sensor is more dependent on the sunlight that reflects the radiation which is collected as data. But here climate plays an important role as it can affect data if the weather is not clear.

So both active and passive help in gaining data which comes in various uses such as weather forecasting, land use mapping, environmental studies, resource exploration, etc.

Advantages of Remote Sensing

Remote sensing is beneficial for many scientific types of research, weather forecasting, etc which directly or indirectly help in the economical growth of the country. Let us discuss some of the major advantages of remote sensing

  • More coverage: Remote sensing is very beneficial for covering a vast area without going to the field. All the landscape is easily studied when the data is collected by this without going to the dangerous fields which are not easy to be reached.
  • Data Used in Many Fields: When we receive data we can use it in many types of tasks such as weather forecasting, land use mapping, environmental studies, resource exploration, etc. It can be used for business purposes also. Thus it also helps in the economical growth of the nation.
  • Less Time Consuming: Since the coverage is done by using remote sensing it is helpful in saving time by covering the maximum area in less time. By manual process, it would be not possible to do in less time.
  • No Disturbance: Since remote sensing is totally donned by satellite or other aircraft so it does not disturb any of the movement on earth such as there is no road blockage or any other difficulty in human work progress.
  • Cheap Method: As compared to the work done manually this method is cheaper for collecting data as it cost a one-time investment but if done manually it will take time.

Disadvantages of Remote Sensing

Remote sensing has some disadvantages also, let’s discuss the drawbacks of remote sensing as follows

  • Possibility for Human error: If the satellite is not properly calibrated there is a possibility of human error. So before installing it we must carefully check its calibration and avoid human errors. Also sometimes range can affect the result and cannot give the correct picture.
  • Can Become Costly: The pictures or data that is collected by remote sensing is not easy to be understood easily so it needs specialized people to read the data which becomes costlier by giving training and for any reason if we need the same picture or data to be used again and again can also cost high.
  • Needs Trained Staff: For fetching data is not easy for anyone so it is compulsory to get trained staff to get the data.

Thus these are the different advantages and disadvantages of remote sensing.

Comparison Table for Advantages and Disadvantages of Remote Sensing

Advantages of Remote SensingDisadvantages of Remote Sensing
More coverage is possible in less timeHuman error is possible
Data can be used in many fieldsCost is more sometimes
Human life is not disturbed in the processNeeds specially trained Staff to understand data
Method is cheaperUse of data again can be costlier

FAQs on Advantages and Disadvantages of Remote Sensing

Question 1.
What is Remote Sensing? What is it used for?

Answer:
Remote sensing is a method of collecting data on geographical areas or any object from a distance. By using satellites or aircraft we can collect the data by using the energy reflection we get from earth. Usually, the energy which is emitted, reflected or sometimes transmitted from the various electromagnetic spectrum in any geographical area is collected as data through satellite or any other aircraft which is useful in many ways.

If a single image is captured by a remote sensing method from a satellite then it can be used for any application by examining the image. It is used in many types of research, government policies or even in making businesses grow.

Question 2.
What are the types of remote sensing?

Answer:
There are two types of remote sensing used for different tasks: active remote sensing and passive remote sensing:

  • Active remote sensing
  • Passive remote sensing

Active remote sensing: In active remote sensing sensors send radiation or signal then the earth’s surface reflects the signal that helps in collecting desired data. Sometimes it needs both active and passive remote sensing to work together to get data.

Passive remote sensing: In passive remote sensing the sensor is more dependent on the sunlight that reflects the radiation which is collected as data. But here climate plays an important role as it can affect data if the weather is not clear.

Question 3.
What are the advantages of remote sensing?

Answer:
Here are the various advantages of remote sensing:

  • Remote sensing is very beneficial for covering a vast area without going to the field.
  • When we receive data we can use it in many types of tasks such as weather forecasting, land use mapping, environmental studies, resource exploration, etc. It can be used for business purposes also.
  • Since remote sensing is totally donned by satellite or other aircraft so it does not disturb any of the movement on earth such as there is no road blockage or any other difficulty in human work progress.
  •  By manual process, it would be not possible to do in less time.

Leave a Comment