Title page
Contents
Executive Summary 2
Introduction 5
What Is Remote Sensing? 6
Why Remote Sensing Matters 7
U.S. Government Policy and Regulation 10
History 11
Industry and Technology Trends 14
Contributing Factors 16
Trend Consequences 18
Gaps, Challenges, and Opportunities 23
Gap 1: Infrared Phenomenology 23
Gap 2: Hyperspectral Imagery 23
Gap 3: Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) 24
Challenge 1: Debris Generation 24
Challenge 2: Geopolitical Context 25
Opportunity: Multi-Phenomenology and Multi-Disciplinary 26
Recommendations 27
Conclusion 30
Authors 31
Acknowledgements 31
Disclaimer 31
Appendix: Methodology Details 32
Endnotes 34
Figure 1. June 06, 2023 destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, Ukraine 7
Figure 2. January 14-15, 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Volcanic Eruption, Tonga, Runup and Aftermath 7
Figure 3. April 2023 California "Superbloom" 8
Figure 4. Umbra Space SAR Image: 16 cm x 16 cm Resolution 12
Figure 5. Selected Remote Sensing Corporate Foundings, Mergers and Acquisitions 15
Figure 6. Camera Width (in pixels) vs. Year 17
Figure 7. Remote Sensing Company Founding Dates and Status 18
Figure 8. Space Data Analysis Company Founding Dates and Status 19
Figure 9. Remote Sensing Phenomenologies and Orbits 21