New High-Res Public Satellite Uses Infrared To See Through Smoke.
Satellites to track large fires often prevent a cloud of smoke, which does not allow to see what is happening on the ground. To break through the thick smoke can only satellites with special infrared sensors. American DigitalGlobe company recently launched a machine capable to shoot through the smoke and clouds in the highest possible quality to date. Images of the fire in the California Klamath National Forest Reserve demonstrate the capabilities of the new satellite .
It should be noted that similar functionality have satellites Terra and Suomi-NPP agency NASA. However, WorldView-3 satellite of DigitalGlobe makes photographs that can distinguish objects up to 31 centimeters - the maximum resolution for commercial satellites.
Performance WorldView-3 is higher than that of any other satellite platform SWIR ever placed in orbit. It's like comparing a black and white image of a full-color VGA and 4K UHDTV. Until WorldView-3 was only visible fire. Now we can consider the individual areas at risk of fire spread, as well as the hottest point, - quotes online Wired magazine words of the founder and technical director of DigitalGlobe Walter Scott.
SWIR sensor capable of detecting infrared radiation eight different wavelengths. Each of them has its advantages. So, one better passes through the smoke, and the other gives you razor sharp pictures of artificial objects. In the picture above combined data from several different wavelengths. When you combine all the waves get a complete map of the fire.
Published last week satellite images WorldView-3, DigitalGlobe helped persuade the United States Department of Commerce to remove restrictions on the commercial use of satellite images, which visible objects smaller than 50 cm. Hitherto, these images were only available to government agencies.
Now DigitalGlobe has a license for the sale of satellite photos of 40-centimeter resolution. And in May of next year she will be allowed to sell the image, which can distinguish objects as small as 31 cm. Satellite WorldView-3 is able to recognize cars, hatches, and even mailboxes.
