Watching earth from space : how surveillance helps us -- and harms us /

Watching earth from space : how surveillance helps us -- and harms us /

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Bibliographic Details
Author / Creator:	Norris, Pat.
Imprint:	New York : Springer, c2010.
Description:	1 online resource (xx, 284 p.) : ill.
Language:	English
Series:	Springer-Praxis books in space exploration Springer-Praxis books in space exploration.
Subject:	Artificial satellites in remote sensing. Artificial satellites in remote sensing. Earth -- Remote-sensing images. Earth (Planet) Remote-sensing images.
Format:	E-Resource Book
URL for this record:	http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/8895645

Hidden Bibliographic Details
ISBN:	9781441969385 (electronic bk.) 1441969381 (electronic bk.)
Notes:	Includes bibliographical references and index.
Summary:	This is the story of how our planet is being monitored by hundreds of space-borne instruments for both military and peaceful reasons. It highlights the technical challenges of those instruments and describes the agencies that gather useful information from them. -- But as well as all the essential monitoring performed by satellites - such as mapping natural or man-made disasters, agricultural performance, weather, and climate change to name but a few - there is a growing swell of public opinion that they are being used by governments to erode personal privacy and freedom. This book looks at the possible conflict between public good and market forces, and the future development of new systems to deal with new needs. --Book Jacket.
Other form:	Print version: Norris, Pat. Watching earth from space. New York : Springer, c2010 9781441969378

Description
Summary:	Our planet is constantly monitored by hundreds of space-borne instruments. This book describes the technology of those instruments and the sciences that provide useful information from them. It also discusses the political implications of space-borne monitoring. From the moment satellites were launched into orbit their ability to see what was happening on a global scale was appreciated -- and feared. This well researched book strives to answer such diverse questions as: Are satellites really a threat to individual privacy? How bad, really, is climate change and global warming? Why can't we find Osama bin Laden? Does the world have enough fresh water? The military side of the story is linked to the big security issues that we face, such as terrorism and civil wars. The civilian side of the story involves numerous successful collaborations in weather forecasting, navigation, communications, and other such "peaceful" uses of satellite surveillance. How the world handles the knowledge gained from these Earth watchers will be critical in the years to come, and Norris skillfully leads us through the issues and possible paths we can take.
Physical Description:	1 online resource (xx, 284 p.) : ill.
Bibliography:	Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN:	9781441969385 (electronic bk.) 1441969381 (electronic bk.)