Concept:
Remote sensing is the science of obtaining information about objects without physical contact.
Common remote sensing methods include:
• Thermal sensing.
• Multispectral scanning.
• Microwave sensing.
An Earth resource satellite is not a sensing method; it is a platform that carries remote sensing sensors.
Step 1: Identify the sensing methods.
Thermal, multispectral and microwave sensing are all techniques used to acquire remote sensing data.
Step 2: Identify the non-method.
An Earth resource satellite serves as the carrier of sensors rather than being a sensing method.
Hence,
\[
\boxed{\text{Earth resource satellite is not strictly a remote sensing method}.}
\]
Therefore, the correct option is
\[
\boxed{(C)\;\text{Earth resource satellite}.}
\]