International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing


The International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing is an international non-governmental organization that enhances international cooperation between the worldwide organizations with interests in the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences. Established in 1910, ISPRS is the oldest international umbrella organization in its field, which may be summarized as addressing “information from imagery”.
ISPRS achieves its aims by:
The ISPRS scientific and technical programs are organized by five Technical Commissions. Each Commission is sponsored by an ISPRS member organization for the four-year period between Congresses. The five Technical Commissions have established around 60 Working Groups which are responsible for particular topics within the Commissions’ areas of interest. All Technical Commissions hold a Symposium within their country in 2018. Smaller workshops will be organized by the Working Groups before the 2020 Congress is organized from June 28 - July 4, 2020, in Nice, France, by the French Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing.

Areas of interest of ISPRS

Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry is used for the derivation of 3D information of points, lines and areas on the terrain from aerial and satellite images for the development of geospatial databases and spatial information systems. The data can be used in digital, graphical and orthophoto forms as maps, charts and overlays. Photogrammetry is also used for the general measurement and interpretation of objects from images, image sequences, and other non-contact techniques, by providing precise 3D point coordinates and other geometric and semantic object information for populating spatial databases and for creating virtual reality 3D scenes with real-life textured models.

Remote Sensing

Remotely sensed observations of the Earth from air- and space-borne sensors provide the basis for mapping of human and natural activities; for monitoring change; for assessing and mitigating disasters; for identifying and assessing non-renewable resources; for monitoring temporal changes in weather, land and sea cover; and for many other applications. Spatial and semantic descriptions of objects and features are derived from 3D measurements of imagery, and the interpretation of their spectral and semantic attributes from panchromatic, multispectral and other remotely sensed data.

Spatial Information Sciences

The description and location of objects and features obtained from images, as well as temporal relationships between physical objects and processes, can be integrated with other data using approaches from Spatial Information Science for analysis, simulation, prediction, visualization purposes. Spatial Information Science is being applied in urban and infrastructure planning, land and resource management, monitoring the environment, and understanding many other natural and man-made processes and phenomena.

Activities of ISPRS

The principal activities of ISPRS are:
  1. Stimulating the formation of national and regional societies of photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences.
  2. Initiating and coordinating research in photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences.
  3. Holding international Congresses, Symposia and Workshops at regular intervals.
  4. Ensuring worldwide circulation of the records of discussion and the results of research by publication of the International Archives of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences" and the peer-reviewed "International Annals of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences .
  5. Encouraging the publication and exchange of scientific papers and journals dealing with the areas of interest to ISPRS, in particular in the ISPRS Journals on Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing and the ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information.

    Organization of ISPRS

ISPRS is currently a society composed of 92 national, 16 associate, 15 regional and 58 sustaining societies and organizations, led by a Council for policy direction and management in accordance with resolutions set forth by its General Assembly, which convenes every four years. Organizations may join ISPRS as:
Individuals usually participate in the activities of the Society through affiliation of an ISPRS Member organization. However, they can also join ISPRS as an Individual Member. Individuals interested in contributing to the scientific and technologic activities of the Society are encouraged to join one of the Working Groups which operate under the leadership of the eight Technical Commissions.

ISPRS Council 2016-2020

Technical Commissions 2016-2020

The technical commissions are responsible for, and manage all aspects of, the scientific and technical activities of ISPRS.
Commission ISensor Systems
Commission IIPhotogrammetry
Commission IIIRemote Sensing
Commission IVSpatial Information Science
Commission VEducation and Outreach

TIF - The ISPRS Foundation

The ISPRS Foundation is intended to improve the ability of ISPRS to satisfy its aims and objectives by administering a broadly-based international program of fundraising to provide grants to qualified individuals and organizations who are pursuing and/or applying knowledge for advancing the sciences and technologies associated with the disciplines embodied by ISPRS. The Foundation raises, invests and grants funds on an unrestricted basis for this purpose. It contributes significantly to the efforts of ISPRS in international cooperation and technology transfer.

Publications

Its official academic journals are:
Other peer-reviewed publications include:
It also has the following publishing venues:
ISPRS is actively involved in the work of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management, the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, the Group on Earth Observations, and the International Council for Science and has significant relations with several other international scientific societies.