How well do we understand Earth observation electro-optical sensor parameters?

Since the launch of LANDSAT-1, the Earth observation systems' capability an d utilisation has increased substantially. The past decade has seen a numbe r of remote sensing satellites with improved capabilities. Understanding th e sensor parameters from a user's standpoint is not that easy. In the conte xt of increasing relevance and dependence on fusion of data from various se nsors, there is an urgent need to standardise the sensor parameters specifi ed. The present paper is an attempt to raise some of the concerns regarding specifying spatial, radiometric, spectral and temporal resolution. I solic it inputs from the readers on the points raised to formulate a consolidated recommendation for the ISPRS Council to propose to the international commu nity. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.