Data received by remote sensing satellites are normally purchased or made available at the operating space agencies, receiving stations or data distribution centers. Appendix Table 4 shows the main data distributors in the world. Searching for a satellite scene from a number of scenes is so complicated that retrieval systems with key words of satellite name, sensor, observed data, path and row number, cloud coverage etc. are made available for users.
In addition to such retrieving systems, which have been developed by each center, a comprehensive and international directory system being developed by the CEOS (Committee on Earth Observation Satellite ). CEOS-PID (prototype international directory) is a world wide database, which is based on the master directory developed by NASA. This is a directory database to indicate what kind of satellite data are available at which center. Some data can be directly accessible on line to the data inventory of the center of interest.
Figure 6.13.1 shows the main menu of CEOS-PID. At present CEOS-PID has an international network, as shown in Figure 6.13.2. The users can utilize CEOS-PID by telephone line from any node of the network.
Copyright © 1996 Japan Association of Remote Sensing All rights reserved