In situ remote sensing

A remote mapping system, comprising:

• a plurality of transmitters that are each located within an area of interest, each transmitter of the plurality of transmitters produces a transmission signal having a transmission signature,
• wherein the transmission signature of at least one transmitter of the plurality of transmitters is substantially the same as the transmission signature of at least one other transmitter of the plurality of transmitters;
• and
• a satellite communications system including:
• a receiver that receives the each transmission signal from each transmitter of the plurality of transmitters, and
• a processor that processes the each transmission signal from the plurality of transmitters and determines a location associated with the each transmission signal within the area of interest to facilitate a mapping based upon the location associated with the each transmission signal within the area of interest.

A method for in situ remote sensing comprising the steps of:

• distributing a plurality of sensing devices about an area of interest,
• sensing an each parameter value corresponding to each sensing device of the plurality of sensing devices,
• transmitting an each communications signal from the each sensing device in dependence upon the corresponding each parameter value,
• receiving the each communications signal from the each sensing device via a satellite, and
• determining an each location of the each sensing device based upon receiving the each communication signal from the each sensing device at the satellite, the each location of the each sensing device being the each location of the each sensing device within the area of interest when the each sensing device transmitted the each communications signal,
• thereby facilitating a mapping of the each parameter value to the each location within the area of interest.