During the last several years, numerous companies announced their intention to launch low-cost Earth-observation satellite systems, most of which will be constellations of satellites. This implies a significant increase in the amount of Earth-observation data being collected and a growing number of supply choices, but what are the industry implications?
The spectacular exposed geology of northwestern China offers an ideal landscape for illustrating how satellite measurements can identify minerals from afar.
Aircraft have several advantages over satellite platforms when collecting imagery. For example, aircraft can collect data on specific dates and times. Another advantage is the ability to put new sensors in aircraft as technology advances.
Whether planning an infrastructure network, conducting a military intervention mission in unknown terrain or analyzing terrain features for oil and gas exploration, precise, reliable elevation data support a wide range of applications and form the foundation of any accurate geospatial product.
Although oblique imaging products have been part of the mainstream mapping industry for more than a decade, none of the accredited mapping societies have provided standards that define accuracy requirements for oblique imagery.
More than a decade ago, the U.S. Army established the motto that every soldier is a sensor. Fast forward to today and that vision has become fact, with linked mobile devices and applications routing geospatial data back and forth between command and the field.
By Mladen Stojic, president, Hexagon Geospatial (www.hexagongeospatial.com), Norcross, Ga. Situated on the Mississippi River, the city of Baton Rouge, La., offers a vibrant culture that comes from Louisiana State University (LSU), Southern University and numerous...
Geospatial advances allow users to create national maps at unprecedented scales and speed. By Kumar Navulur, director, Next Generation Products, DigitalGlobe (www.digitalglobe.com), Longmont, Colo., and Mark Cygan, Map, Chart, Data Production and SDI Industry...
The successful 2008 launch of the RapidEye satellites marked a turning point in the Earth observation industry. The lessons learned offer a roadmap to getting future satellite programs—government and commercial—from the drawing board to the launch pad. By Kevin P....
Building an operative offshore emergency response capability for oil and gas operations requires the right combination of tools to ensure effective decisions are made during the critical first 24-48 hours of an event. By Paul Kennedy, MDA Geospatial  Services Inc....
