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REASSESSMENT
In my undergraduate days at the University of Washington is Seattle, | watches a play called
“Stop the world | want to get off." At this point, it might be necessary for us to take seriously
ihe title of this play. In fact, individual scientists and institutions in many developing countries
should take time out to understand where the technology has been coming from, where it is and
where it is going. Thereafter, these entities should assess the resources available to their nation
and their respective organizations/institutions in order to be able to determine where their
respective country fits in. And, before embarking on any new activity or buy any new equip-
ment, it might be worthwhile to undertake a national inventory of human resources, equipment,
and activities already accomplished, those that are in progress and those that are contemplated/
planned. This approach would provide the necessary basis on which to build a profitable future in
the development and use of the technology to meet national goals and objectives.
There is an overwhelming belief that because a variety of remote sensing systems are now
available, they have to be used. Do we have to use them? Do we have the capability to use them?
Do we have the financial and human resources to commit to these activities? If we do, where
and how do we begin? How can we influence the determination of the orbital characteristics and
sensor parameters that are used? How do we take advantage of research opportunities that are
made available by a variety of space organizations in the world?"
RECOMMENDATIONS .
If the developing countries are to partake of the variety of opportunities and related benefits
that are available in remote sensing technology, a number of steps would need to be taken. The
extent to which a nation can take advantage of the multidimensional opportunities inherent in
remote sensing technology depends, in a large measure, on the scientific and technical capabilities
of its people, on well-reasoned and far-sighted political decisions, and on the development and
implementation of appropriate long-range research and development programmes. To accomplish
this goal, several infrastructural bases must be built. Specifically, there has to be a united front
within the scientific and professional community. It is only through this common bond that they
would be able to convince the decision makers of the value and impact of the technology on their
country's development and the role that their nation should play. 4 4e!
Appropriate education and training programmes have to be established in order to develop
the required human resources: Such training programmes should focus on developing'three diffe-
rent cadres of personnel: one of these should possess the ability to apply the technology another
category should have the ability to operate and maintain the technology, and the third and last .
group should have the ability to invent-änd contribute to the development and growth of the-
technology. Furthermore the scientific and professional community should take advantage of
research opportunities that are made available by several space organizations around the globe
and should also encourage their society to establish, particularly in large urban areas, planetariums
and space science groups and museums for the benefit of children in particular and the public in
general.
Duplication of projects, duplication of efforts, and duplication of machines are commonplace
in many developing countries. National co-ordination should be able to address this persistent
problem. Projects should be designed as part of an overall national effort both in terms of their
short and long-term objectives. They should be designed in stages with maximum material/human
resource input at the local level. Each stage should not be terminal but should be a precursor
of future trends. In this connection, we should familiarize ourselves with satellites that are parti-
cularly devoted to our own geographical zones and seek participation in these activities through
necessary agreements, TERS, a Tropical Remote Sensing Satellite, now in a proposal stage by the
Governments of the Netherlands and Indonesia, and a sensor known MEOSS (Monocular Electro
Optical Stereo Scanner), which belongs to the German Aerospace Research. Establishment and
which is to be launched by the Indian Space Research Organization, belong to this category.
Brazil is also planning its own remote sensing satellite known as Bressex.
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