Abstract: A system for determining the state of a container or other enclose space from a remote location is described. A monitoring unit in said container includes a video camera that captures an image of the interior portion of the container. A static image of the interior portion of the container when in an empty state is stored in the monitoring unit. An interrogation request to determine the state of the container from is sent from a client over a network to a control station. The interrogation request is transmitted via satellite from the control station to the monitoring unit. Upon receipt of the interrogation request, the monitoring unit compares the current image of the interior portion with the stored image. A response indicative of the state of vacuity of the container is transmitted back to the control station over a low data rate channel for forwarding to the client. The invention also finds application in security applications where only a low data rate channel is available.