162k views
3 votes
Remote sensing satellites carry with them only active sensors to detect Earth's emitted and reflected energy.

A. True
B. False

User Dan Nagle
by
8.3k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

The claim that remote sensing satellites only carry active sensors is false, as they also employ passive sensors. Sensors on satellites observing cold dark space must be cool to reduce thermal noise and detect faint signals more effectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that remote sensing satellites carry with them only active sensors is False. Remote sensing satellites are equipped with both active and passive sensors. Active sensors emit their own signal and measure the reflection, while passive sensors detect natural energy that is reflected or emitted from the Earth's surface. An example of an active sensor is radar, and an example of a passive sensor is a camera that captures visible light.

Satellites designed to observe the radiation from cold (3 K) dark space must have sensors at low temperatures because it minimizes thermal noise, which can interfere with the detection of weak signals from space. Lowering the sensor's temperature reduces its own thermal radiation, allowing it to detect faint objects or phenomena more effectively.

User Felbus
by
8.2k points