Remote Sensing Applications in Mexico

Because of the large territory of the country, the applications of remote sensing are of great importance in Mexico. Terrestrial photogrammetry was first used in 1926 in the Irrigation Commission for dam location and irrigation and aerial planning photography in 1928. In 1932 the first commercial company offering photogrammetry began operating. Modern Remote Sensing began in 1968, when an important project was conducted in collaboration with NASA. Information was gathered using a multiband aerial platform. Through the Outer Space Commission, research projects were submitted to NASA for the ERTS Investigation. In this field, some advances were made demonstrating the utility of remote sensing in different fields through pilot studies. Now, some projects are being made for different institutions; a review of them is presented. The advances and setbacks of the application of remote sensing in Mexico are described in this paper, with some insight in the reason of difficulties and limitations. This experience can be useful to other developing countries. This article is from 'Papers Selected for Presentation at the International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment (16th) Held at Buenos Aires, Argentina on 2-9 June 1982. Volume 1,' AD-A134 719. p1-13.