DATABASES IN THE FIELD OF AEROSPACE AND RELATED FIELDS 
J.H. ten Haken 
Librarian, International Institute for Aerospace Survey and Earth Sciences (ITC), 
Enschede, The Netherlands 
Commission VI 
ABSTRACT: 
In this paper we review databases in the field of photogrammetry and remote sensing (also indicated as aerospace) and the 
related subject fields: geodesy, cartography and geoinformation systems. 
Four categories of databases are distinguished: 
A. Databases on aerospace. 
B. Databases on related subject fields. 
C. Multidisciplinary databases. 
D. Databases on specific sciences using remote sensing techniques. 
The list includes names of the hosts and the suppliers, description, time span, file size and update. 
KEY WORDS: Databases, Aerospace, Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing. 
1. INTRODUCTION Another example is a database on physics which includes 
literature on the physical principles of remote sensing. 
Scientists in the field of photogrammetry and remote 
sensing have a variety of databases at their disposal for 2.3 Multjdisciplinary databases (table C) 
on-line searching for scientific literature. The main problem, 
however, is that none of them offers a very comprehensive The databases under this heading cover a broad spectrum 
coverage. Further, when considering the choice of the most of stbject fields and incorporate the disciplines which fall 
suitable database for a query, the nature of the subject within the scope of this paper. 
should be taken into consideration; i.e., whether it is 
theoretical or applied. 2.4 Databases on specific sciences using remote sensing 
  
techniques (table D) 
In the appendix of this paper there is a review of 
üppropriate databases. It concentrates on the subject Here we list databases on subject fields which in a given 
"aerospace" in the broadest sense, having a connection case may make use of remote sensing techniques. These 
with geodesy, cartography and geoinformation systems: include vegetation, agriculture, forestry, geology, 
subject fields which are closely related to the earth environmental activities. 
observation aspects of aerospace. 
The most important and appropriate databases are given 
here as examples, but the list should not be considered as 
2. REVIEW OF APPROPRIATE DATABASES exhaustive. In fact it could be extended to almost unlimited 
proportions. 
The review is divided over four tables: A, B, C and D, 
according to the character of the databases in question. Practice has taught that databases within this category 
usually provide the most satisfactory results in response to 
2.1 Databases on aerospace (table A) queries concerning the application side of remote sensing. 
Databases which in some way have to do with aerospace, 
including earth observation (construction of) platforms, 3. CONCLUDING REMARKS 
flight data, imagery etc. are listed here. 
Besides the databases listed in this paper, there are others 
2.2 Databases on related subject fields (table B) which, although publicly accessible and falling within the 
scope of this review, receive little attention because of their 
In this respect we may think of databases in the field of limited geographical or linguistic coverage. They may 
geodesy, cartography and geoinformation systems, or nevertheless contain valuable scientific publications. 
possibly geography including photogrammetry and remote 
sensing. Further, there may be databases which are not publicly 
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