LARS, a multidisciplinary research laboratory, involving the School of Agriculture, the School of Science and the Schools of Engineering was established in 1966 and is internationally known for its research efforts relating to remote sensing and more recently Geographic Information Systems. Remote sensing and GIS technology research and development have been funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of Interior, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. State Department, National Science Foundation as well as state agencies, private and international organizations. Focusing on research to develop further the fundamental knowledge of the earth and its biophysical processes and to develop and improve techniques for analyzing and interpreting remotely sensed data from earth observation sensors. LARS is a laboratory within Information Technology at Purdue (ITaP) Discovery Resources.
The early history of LARS written in 1986 by Professor David Landgrebe describes the Laboratory from its founding in 1966 up to that time. The history was written for inclusion in a book about the history of the Purdue School of Electrical Engineering on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. A set of LARS Newletters from 1995 through 1998 provide more recent historical information.