Satellites flying over Earth’s orbit largely provide a two-dimensional view of our planet, but a Florida-based company hopes to change that with satellites. routinely 3D maps of the entire Earth’s surface.
During the Global Geospatial Forum, held from May 2 to 5 In Rotterdam, the Netherlands, NUVIEW announced its plans to launch a constellation of satellites, which will Use LiDAR to map the Earth in three dimensions.
“Our LiDAR satellite array will provide a wealth of information that was not previously widely available, driving innovation and advancement in many industries and revolutionizing the way we understand and interact with our planet,” said Clint Grumman, CEO and Founder. The participant told NUVIEW, in an emailed statement.
It’s not clear when NUVIEW plans to launch its LiDAR suite, but the company claims it already has $1.2 billion worth of contracts with potential customers for its data.
LiDAR, short for Light Detection and Ranging, uses a pulsed laser to measure distance By detecting the time it takes for the reflected light to return to the receiver. Technology is capable of mapping the Earth’s typography in great detail, and it does so through Send a continuous stream of Laser pulses that make their way through trees and other plant species. To date, most other attempts to employ LiDAR when Mapping of the Earth’s surface using drones or aircraft. NASA’s ICESat-2, launched in 2018 to measure the height of the Arctic ice cap, is one of a small number of satellites using LiDAR from orbit.
As a result, only about five percent of Earth’s land area has been mapped using LiDAR, according to NUVIEW. But thanks to recent technological innovationsIn addition to a well-developed space industry that allows better and cheaper access to orbit, NUVIEW has been Capable of designing a constellation of 20 LiDAR satellites. accident Satellites Also better able to handle the higher power demands of LiDAR sensors.
NUVIEW claims its LiDAR constellation will “collect data 100 times faster than current commercial atmospheric solutions.” The company expects there will be a large market for its data, which farmers can use to improve crop yields and water use, as well as urban planners to create more efficient and sustainable environments for cities, according to NUVIEW.
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