Future trends and research

Abstract

The development of new techniques in aerial photography may not have ceased but the operational development has stabilized and in other areas of optical imaging new developments are being concentrated on scanning devices and linear arrays. Conventional optical interpretation has also stabilized and the principles of computerized image analysis are basically well understood although researchers continue to try to achieve automated classification. In microwave technology, although airborne imaging techniques have been successfully used commercially for some 15 years, in comparison the science is only beginning and many of the techniques are only just being understood.