Global Precipitation Measurement Core Observatory, a joint Earth-observing mission between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), launched Feb. 27, 2014.
Insurers Eye Unmanned Earth Observing Aircraft
Grant Goldsmith, the president of Overwatch, a provider of high-risk insurance for international contractors, says he has been approached by insurers interested in using drones for claims work.
England Rivers Spill Banks
A storm wave dropped 15 inches of rain on southern England December 2013-January 2014”the wettest two-month period on record since 1910. The rain and flooding continued into February.
Tiny Proba-V Satellite Is a Workhorse
During its first two months, the European Space Agency's Proba-V minisatellite collected more than 5,000 images, 65 daily global maps and six 10-day global syntheses, plus gave us a quick peek at the Olympics.
Hexagon Acquires German UAS Maker
Hexagon, a global provider of design, measurement and visualization solutions, acquired Aibotix, the maker of the Aibot X6, a multirotor, vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aircraft system.
ILMF 2014 Highlights LiDAR's Future
Innovative technology was a key focus at this year's International LiDAR Mapping Forum (ILMF), held Feb. 17-19 in Denver. Topics included waveform processing and commercial unmanned aircraft.
Drought Grips California
Persistent dry weather has grown more worrisome in the Western United States, with nearly two-thirds of the region experiencing drought. By most measures, California is suffering the worst of it.
South Australia Police Purchase Surveillance UASs
South Australia Police recently added two unmanned aircraft systems”or remotely piloted aircraft as they're called in Australia”to its surveillance tool kit.
ESA Considers Plant Fluorescence Mission
Similar to radiant skin in humans, plants also glow when they're well. A European Space Agency (ESA) satellite could use fluorescence to track the health and productivity of vegetation worldwide.
Indonesia Volcano Dusts Surrounding Landscape
Until 2010, Indonesia's Sinabung volcano was dormant. Then a brief burst in 2010 caused the temporary evacuation of about 30,000 nearby residents. The volcano was at it again this February.
