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photosonascreen.Instead,theimagerygenerallyformsjust
apartofamore elaboratesoftwaresolution.
“While someusers need the imagerysimply foreyeballing
asituation, the majority of applicationsofimagery involve
the use of very sophisticated analysis,”Partington tells us.
“In somecases, this analysis is customfor aparticular type
of information extraction fromthe imagery,for example using
the phase in radar imagery to detect millimetre-levelchanges
in surfaceelevation over time–for example,related to
sub-surface processes such as earthquakes or carbon
storage, or to use particular wavelengths of imagery to detect
sensitive changes in vegetation condition forprecision
agricultureordrought detection.”
As in so many areas, however,Partingtonexplained how
the adoptionofAIisbecoming ever more important.
“Anincreasing area of focusfor thoseinvolved in exploiting
satelliteimagery canbefound around
the application of AI to imagery. Imagery
is one type of bigdata and it contains a
colossal amount of informationon
humanactivity and environmental
conditions. There hasbeen growth in
recent years in newcompanies applying
AI to the routine extraction of key
information fromsatelliteimagerysuch
as global, regional or localeconomic
indicesincludingbulkgoods storagein
containers,car park usage,traffic and
infrastructure condition,withhigh
potential market value as timely
intelligencefor financial and other markets,”heexplains.
SMALLERAND CHEAPER
It’s almost expected, when discussing computer-related
technology,that the prospect forthe futureisalways faster,
more and better.Intriguingly,this isn’t necessarily what the
future of satelliteimaging holds, at least in terms of that
commonly quoted figure of resolution.
In the realmof consumer digital cameras,italmost seems
that ever-higher resolutions areonoffer,whether users need
that additional performanceornot. With hugely expensive
satelliteimaging, on theother hand, higher-resolution sensors
will only ever become arealityifthere’s arealneed forthem.
And the evidence might just suggestthat we don’tneed any
more.Afterall, today’shighestcommercialresolution of
300 mmisn’tagreatdeal higher than itwas adecadeago.
Both our experts suggested that newtypes of sensors
willbeimportant in the future,and here they referred to
imaging in greater numbers of spectral bands, but they also
highlighted another keytrend. AccordingtoMasek, lower
costs of building and launching satelliteswillbeadriving
force in the future.
“Thereiscertainly atrendtoward smaller payloads,
satelliteplatforms and launchvehicles. There have been
significant newadvancesindetector and focalplane
technology andfreeformoptics, which allowsmaller optical
systems andcompact imaging systems. With the rise in
smallsats and CubeSats, there hasbeen aparallel rise in the
developmentofsmall commercial launch vehicles and
secondary ride opportunities,”hesays.
Indeed, the CubeSatsthat Masek
refers to are certainly making this
technology more affordable.Costing as
little as $50,000 to build,and asimilar
amounttolaunch, thesetiny 100mm
satellites are within reachofsmaller
organisations, and have even been
funded by crowd-sourcing initiatives.
Partingtonalso seescosts
plummeting, buthis emphasiswas
the cost to theuser of imagery.
“Competition creates downward
pressure on pricing,and this is on top
of reduced pricing fromreducedcosts.
It willbepossible to access and buy very small quantities
of freshimagery, making it increasingly affordable to
businesses and even consumers,” he says.
Despitethe CubeSat revolution, it seemsinconceivable
that the vast growth of computerownership,which took
placewith the introduction of thePC, will be paralleled in the
world of imaging satellites. After all, there’ssurely alimited
requirement forpersonal satellites, even thoughthey’ll be
used farmore in low-budget research and even hobbyuse,
perhaps by astronomy clubs.
Muchmore importantly,however,the improved access to
satelliteimagery that we’vealready experienced will surely
continue and, with it, the increasing diversity of howweare
able to use this valuable resource in government, business
and even everydaylife.LEFT:Modular
CubeSats,based
on cubic modules
measuring just
100mm across,
offer the promise
of much more
affordable satellite
imageryABOVE:Combining
severalspectral
bands including
infrared, false
colour images,
like this one from
Landsat 8, allow
features tobe
identified, even
though they’re
invisible tothe
human eye