Which of the following spaceborne sensors report data for potential use in the study of terrestrial surface topography?
(A) ASTER (B) AVHRR (C) ENVISAT - RA2 (D) RADARSAT-1 (E) SRTM
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is B

The study of terrestrial surface topography involves analyzing the physical features of Earth's surface, such as elevation, slope, and terrain patterns. Among the listed spaceborne sensors:
1. ASTER (A):
· The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) is widely used for topographic mapping and creating Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). It provides high-resolution elevation data.
2. ENVISAT - RA2 (C):
· The Radar Altimeter 2 (RA2) onboard ENVISAT measures surface elevations, particularly useful for topographic studies of land, ice sheets, and ocean surfaces.
3. SRTM (E):
· The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) generated a near-global DEM, providing detailed topographic data for various applications, including hydrology, geology, and climate studies.
4. AVHRR (B):
· The Advanced Very High-Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) primarily focuses on atmospheric, vegetation, and sea surface temperature data. It is not suitable for detailed topographic mapping.
5. RADARSAT-1 (D):
· While RADARSAT-1 provides radar imagery, its primary use is in monitoring ice, ocean, and land cover changes rather than generating topographic models.
Thus, the correct sensors for terrestrial topography are (A) ASTER, (C) ENVISAT - RA2, and (E) SRTM.
Information Booster: 1. Topographic Sensors and Their Applications:
· ASTER: High-resolution DEMs and terrain analysis.
· SRTM: Global DEMs for geomorphology and hydrology.
· ENVISAT - RA2: Altimetry for land and ice topography.
2. Non-Topographic Sensors:
· AVHRR: Primarily for vegetation, temperature, and atmospheric studies.
· RADARSAT-1: Focuses on monitoring land cover and sea ice.
3. Topographic Mapping Importance:
· Used in urban planning, disaster management, and environmental monitoring.
Additional Knowledge: ASTER (A):
· Generates DEMs at 30-meter resolution.
ENVISAT - RA2 (C):
· Radar altimeter for topographic studies of large-scale surfaces like ice sheets.
SRTM (E):
· Provides 90-meter and 30-meter DEMs globally.
AVHRR (B):
· Not designed for elevation mapping; focuses on vegetation and SST.
RADARSAT-1 (D):
· Ideal for imaging but lacks precision for elevation models.