Identifying viable settlement locations from orbit

This question discusses what you'd look at from space, but mostly focuses on how you could identify the weather.

This question discusses what resources a colony would need, but doesn't discuss how to find them.

We use absorption spectroscopy to identify liquid water on foreign planets, but how can we tell whether the water is usable? Although it is possible to remove most contaminants (salts, ammonia / nitrates, metals, etc.), a population of almost any size will prefer to have a fresh water source for drinking, agriculture, etc.

On Earth, bright green color indicates significant plant life, which tends to go along with animal life and potential for gathering or growing food. However, green sand deserts, producers that are other colors, etc. could throw this off.

What techniques could be used to identify large amounts of biomass from orbit?

Is there any way to identify metals or metal ores near the surface?

posted over 8 years ago

Jon Takagi‭

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