Here's a collection of quotes.
F.F. Sabins in his book "Remote sensing: principles and interpretation" defines it as follows:
- "Remote Sensing is the science of acquiring, processing and interpreting images that record the interaction between electromagnetic energy and matter."
The United Nations in their annex Principles Relating to Remote Sensing of the Earth from Space defines it as:
(this definition is part of the General Assembly Resolutions and International
Treaties Pertaining to the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space)
- "The term Remote Sensing means the sensing of the Earth's surface from space by making use of the properties of electromagnetic waves emitted, reflected or diffracted by the sensed objects, for the purpose of improving natural resources management, land use and the protection of the environment."
Lillesand and Kiefer in their book "Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation" even define it as an art:
- "Remote Sensing is the science and art of obtaining information about an object, area, or phenomenon through the analysis of data acquired by a device that is not in contact with the object, area, or phenomenon under investigation."
Probably the broadest definition is given by Charles Elachi in "Introduction to the Physics and Techniques of Remote Sensing":
- "Remote Sensing is defined as the acquisition of information about an object without being in physical contact with it."
The CCRS had this in their Remote Sensing Glossary:
- Remote Sensing (RS)
"Group of techniques for collecting image or other forms of data about an object from measurements made at a distance from the object, and the processing and analysis of the data."
And on and on.