DOS release Remote Sensing Policy 2020 draft for public comment
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Sharad Lele (शरच्चंद्र लेले)
Nov 27, 2020, 9:00:12 AM11/27/20
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Please read and comment.
https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/spacers_policy_ngp_2020_draft.pdf
Sharad
https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/spacers_policy_ngp_2020_draft.pdf
Sharad
Thejesh GN
Nov 27, 2020, 9:03:21 AM11/27/20
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Thank you for sharing. We should send out comments as community.
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Ujaval Gandhi
Nov 27, 2020, 9:43:01 AM11/27/20
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Hi Sharad,
Thanks for sharing. From the perspective of sharing ISRO's own data, the policy says
" In the interest of promoting research, innovation, societal applications and value addition, DOS shall make IRS satellite data having GSD of 5 meter and coarser, easily accessible on ‘free and open’ basis. "
I think this is really good. As the best open remote sensing multispectral data currently is Sentinel-2 (10m), ISRO sharing LISS4 (5.6m) data puts them ahead of USGS and ESA. Of course, the concern would be the implementation and how fast they can make that data available. My comment here would that they adopt a true open data license for this data, like Government Open Data License.
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Naveen Francis
Nov 27, 2020, 11:13:26 AM11/27/20
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Hello Thej,
We should reach out to like-minded orgs ?
1. Space Federation of India https://www.spacefed.in/
2. Association of Geospatial Industries (AGI) - http://agiindia.com/
3. Indian National Cartographic Association - https://www.incaindia.org/
4. Open Source Geospatial Foundation – India - http://osgeo.in/
Thanks,
naveenpf
Sharad Lele
Nov 27, 2020, 11:44:16 AM11/27/20
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I agree with you, Ujaval. Getting 5.6m data in the public domain will be a big boost.
But I am curious to know from others what their experience has been with the quality of this 5.6m (IRS P6) data. For instance, I found the spectral quality to be rather poor: it boasts of being 10-bit but all the data are clustered in a 7-bit space. So we had to go back to coarser Landsat-8 because it gave better spectral quality (not just more bands).
On the rest of the policy: I am wondering why they say nothing about drones, about UAV-based LIDAR, and so on, which are really the cutting-edge these days, are they not?
Sharad
Sharad Lele
Nov 27, 2020, 11:45:42 AM11/27/20
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Btw, I will be appearing on Rajya Sabha TV tomorrow at 1pm with MoES Secy for a panel discussion on this new policy. So do send in more comments tonight/tomorrow morning, AND listen in on that discussion.
Sharad Lele
Nov 28, 2020, 2:07:17 AM11/28/20
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Rajya Sabha TV just now called saying the programme got cancelled. Typical of them.
Sharad Lele
Nov 28, 2020, 2:16:05 AM11/28/20
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I think Thejesh's idea of a joint response is excellent, and am happy to contribute.
My immediate observation is that
a) the RS policy does not cover drones/UAVs, which according to me is the hot area, where a lot of application development is also required. The UAV related policy by DGCA is purely regulatory (what permissions are required etc), not developmental
b) the opening of 5.6m imagery is great. HOWEVER, there is lack of clarity of whether the govt will continue to support the IRS P6 (or equivalent) programmes well into the future. There is no clear commitment. There is talk about past images, and open sharing, but obviously if commercial players come in, their data will not be shared. So a bit more clarity on whether (like USA) the state agency will continue to do imaging till 5.6m resolution and leave the 5.6m to 1m field for commercial providers is required.
c) the shift from NRSC to a socalled PSU is noticeable and its implications unclear. What we do know as users is that NRSA is not particularly accountable to users in terms of quality of data, transparency in what they do (they will suddenly stop taking requests for imaging on particular dates, saying they are doing a full run for govt), technical transparency (quality), and promptness. And it is not clear in the policy how this accountability will be enforced vis-a-vis the PSU either.
d) The USA defines 'high-res' as 0.5m and below. That's why commercial providers stop at 0.6m. (please correct me if I am wrong--or if this is outdated). We should use the same threshold, not 1m. Because otherwise our data users are unnecessarily penalised, while 0.6m data on India are available to users located in the USA or elsewhere!
e) accountability of the high-res committee--they simply turn down requests without any reason. Who holds them accountable?
c) the shift from NRSC to a socalled PSU is noticeable and its implications unclear. What we do know as users is that NRSA is not particularly accountable to users in terms of quality of data, transparency in what they do (they will suddenly stop taking requests for imaging on particular dates, saying they are doing a full run for govt), technical transparency (quality), and promptness. And it is not clear in the policy how this accountability will be enforced vis-a-vis the PSU either.
d) The USA defines 'high-res' as 0.5m and below. That's why commercial providers stop at 0.6m. (please correct me if I am wrong--or if this is outdated). We should use the same threshold, not 1m. Because otherwise our data users are unnecessarily penalised, while 0.6m data on India are available to users located in the USA or elsewhere!
e) accountability of the high-res committee--they simply turn down requests without any reason. Who holds them accountable?
f) If commercial providers are to come in from India, how will they beat existing global suppliers of 1m data such as Ikonos and others who are well established?
Some quick thoughts, to spark further debate in the group and help in the drafting of the joint comment.
Some quick thoughts, to spark further debate in the group and help in the drafting of the joint comment.
Sharad
Ujaval Gandhi
Nov 28, 2020, 5:09:33 AM11/28/20
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Some responses inline below
On Sat, Nov 28, 2020 at 12:46 PM Sharad Lele <shara...@gmail.com> wrote:
I think Thejesh's idea of a joint response is excellent, and am happy to contribute.My immediate observation is thata) the RS policy does not cover drones/UAVs, which according to me is the hot area, where a lot of application development is also required. The UAV related policy by DGCA is purely regulatory (what permissions are required etc), not developmental
The title says "Space based remote sensing", so including UAVs probably need a policy of its own. UAV operators are already able to sell data and services - provided they comply with DGCA, so not sure how this policy can help further.
b) the opening of 5.6m imagery is great. HOWEVER, there is lack of clarity of whether the govt will continue to support the IRS P6 (or equivalent) programmes well into the future. There is no clear commitment. There is talk about past images, and open sharing, but obviously if commercial players come in, their data will not be shared. So a bit more clarity on whether (like USA) the state agency will continue to do imaging till 5.6m resolution and leave the 5.6m to 1m field for commercial providers is required.
Good point. We need state commitment to continue providing medium-res data. Another concern would be making this data available. If the data is not made available soon after acquisition - it is not really valuable. There is no commitment to making the existing data available in a timely manner to the public.
c) the shift from NRSC to a socalled PSU is noticeable and its implications unclear. What we do know as users is that NRSA is not particularly accountable to users in terms of quality of data, transparency in what they do (they will suddenly stop taking requests for imaging on particular dates, saying they are doing a full run for govt), technical transparency (quality), and promptness. And it is not clear in the policy how this accountability will be enforced vis-a-vis the PSU either.
d) The USA defines 'high-res' as 0.5m and below. That's why commercial providers stop at 0.6m. (please correct me if I am wrong--or if this is outdated). We should use the same threshold, not 1m. Because otherwise our data users are unnecessarily penalised, while 0.6m data on India are available to users located in the USA or elsewhere!
US's hi-res limit was 50cm till 2014 and was revised to be 25cm now (with a caveat for Israel imagery at 40cm). Maxar now sells 30cm images commercially. If I understood the policy correctly, the new threshold for India in this policy would be 50cm.
e) accountability of the high-res committee--they simply turn down requests without any reason. Who holds them accountable?
f) If commercial providers are to come in from India, how will they beat existing global suppliers of 1m data such as Ikonos and others who are well established?
Companies like Planet sells data between 70cm-3m and targeting a wide range of industries that need high temporal resolution. There's growing market for hi-res SAR data. I think there are opportunities for companies to compete by offering localized solutions and services along with data.
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Ved Kolhatkar
Nov 30, 2020, 9:33:19 AM11/30/20
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I think the reason why Department of Space might not be commenting much on drones or UAV for that matter is that,in India drones are mainly used for strategic purposes in order to fortify India's defences . Commercial use of drone requires registration in India which could be a bit tedious process and even when one registers they have to follow rules and regulations which if are violated comes with a penalty. Even though India does not outright ban the commercial use of drones . It still requires a person who is licenced to fly a drone. Another reason might be that operating and using a drone is not a cheap affair which means it cant be afforded by all. No doubt UAV/drones are cutting edge technology. If at all there are more relaxations to usage of drones/UAV in terms of rules and regulations, its cost etc we will definitely see a rise in data being available to public not just by data enthusiasts but also through official channels.
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Sharad Lele (शरच्चंद्र लेले)
Dec 2, 2020, 8:16:16 AM12/2/20
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Dear Ved,
I agree that may be the reason. But I am wondering if it is a good enough reason. In all new technologies, state agencies have the capacity and the onus to take risks and carry out R&D that will speed up their deployment, iron out kinks and concerns, ensure that the technologies become accessible for the right uses and to the weaker sections of society that may not be able to afford commercial ones, and to state agencies working for the public good. Since drone-based RS is indeed a cutting edge technology, I was hoping the policy would take cognizance of that and propose positive steps to engage with it, to build it up, and make it available. (The way govt did for satellite based RS).
Sharad
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Thejesh GN
Dec 2, 2020, 2:33:40 PM12/2/20
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I have added a document here
Anyone can login and edit or comment.
I can close the editing on 9th or 10th so we can send it in time
I have added sections for each chapter. You can add comments there.
Let's do this.
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Thejesh GN
Dec 2, 2020, 2:42:11 PM12/2/20
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