Non-ground-based platforms for early remote sensing studies were airborne platforms. In 1859, a camera that was exposed to air by a balloon captured the first aerial photographs. Although tiny balloons carrying disposable probes are still employed for certain meteorological research, balloons are rarely utilized nowadays due to their poor stability and unpredictable flight paths.
At present, airplanes are the most common airborne platform. Simple, inexpensive airplanes can be utilized as platforms when the altitude and stability requirements for a sensor are not too strict. However, more advanced aircraft must be employed if requirements for better instrument stability or higher altitudes become essential.
Aircrafts are divided into three categories (low, mid, and high) based on their altitude restrictions.
Low altitude aircraft typically fly below altitudes where supplemental oxygen or pressurization are needed (12,500 feet above sea level). They are good for acquiring high spatial resolution data limited to a relatively small area. Helicopters are usually used for low altitude applications where the ability to hover is required.
Midaltitude aircraft have an altitude limit under 30,000 feet above sea level. When stability is more crucial and it is essential or wanted to capture pictures from a wider distance than is possible with low-altitude aircraft, this class of aircraft is utilized. Compared to low altitude platforms, these aircraft can swiftly cover a larger region.
The maximum flying height for high altitude airplanes is 30,000 feet above sea level. These types of aircraft are often jet-powered and employed for specific jobs including atmospheric research, simulating satellite platforms, and other uses that call for a high altitude platform. Low spatial resolution is often excellent for vast area coverage acquired by high altitude planes.
The ability of aerial platforms to give 50 Km remote sensing data, which is used to locate locations and gather atmospheric data, is one of its intriguing features. Additionally, reports on mapping, agriculture, emergency response, and environmental monitoring are included in the remote sensing data.
