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This is were you will be able to find Historical | Recollections | Published documents of interest |

Historical

  • NovaSAR 1 was launched in September 2018. This minisatellite was developed collaboratively by SSTL (Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.) and Airbus Defence & Space Ltd, with funding from organisations in the UK, India, Australia and the Philippines. NovaSAR 1 carried new, low cost, S band SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) technology. In 1978, only six years after the first Landsat satellite was launched, a complementary earth observing technology Synthetic Aperture Radar was orbited. Lasting only 106 days, before electrical problems forced its shutdown, SEASAT SAR nonetheless demonstrated that a spaceborne radar system could add to our knowledge of the Earth. During the 40 years between SEASAT and NovaSAR, SAR systems have been developed and launched by many countries and this article by Paul Wise summarises those activities.

  • Launched on 27 September 2021, Landsat 9 became the eighth satellite (Landsat 6 was lost on launch) of the series to provide continuity of world wide, earth observation data. In February 2022, Landsat 9 data became available to users. Since the earliest days of the Landsat program, Australia has had an intense interest in the program's data. This paper by Paul Wise, covers some of Landsat's history and describes the future of the Landsat program.

  • Thirty years after SPOT-1 was launched on 22 February 1986 it was announced that SPOT satellites have covered the land area of the Earth more than 700 times, setting a world record for spatial observation. In July 2016, the American Landsat program will have achieved 44 years of earth observation. This brief article 30 Years of SPOT Data overviews both program's instrumentation.

  • A History of Satellite-based Remote Sensing in Australia:1970-1989 by Catherine Rayner. This narrative forms part of a thesis successfully submitted for the Degree of Master of Philosophy of The Australian National University. Catherine's permission to reproduce her narrative is appreciated and copyright conditions apply.

Recollections

  • In November 1999 ACRES celebrated its 20th anniversary. Don Gray's talk from that night has been transcribed from his notes and is reproduced here.

Catherine Rayner's transcribed interviews with the 'prime movers' in remote sensing in Australia. These interviews were conducted as part of her Master's thesis and their provision is appreciated.

  • Interview with Don Gray here

  • Interview with Dean Graetz here

  • Interview with Ken McCracken here

  • Interview with Colin Simpson here

  • Interview with Andy Green here

  • Interview with Jon Huntington here

Published documents of interest