Remote Sensing of Ocean And Environmental Resources: The Transition To Commercial Operations

Satellite remote sensing has developed over the last ten years as a new technology with significant commercial potential. Yet, the market opportunities for an earth (land and ocean) resources and environmental information service based on remote sensing data have never been adequately evaluated by the government, nor has remote sensing been "packaged" and presented to the financial community in a form sensitive to business priorities. However, after conducting a market evaluation, Terra-Mar has concluded that the sensor and computer technologies required for remote sensing have matured to the point that private investment is now warranted. The only risks that currently remain are political ones -- these may be sufficient to prevent investment within the United States even though remote sensing is indeed a strategic component of the information technology revolution.