IMAGING

Smallest methane emission ever detected from space

Space Flight Laboratory (SFL), a developer of 53 distinct microspace missions, has announced the successful measurement of atmospheric methane by the GHGSat-C1 greenhouse gas monitoring microsatellite that utilizes a NEMO platform developed by SFL. The methane emission from a source on the Earth’s surface is the smallest ever detected by satellite.

Less than a week after the September launch of GHGSat-C1 (‘Iris’), GHGSat Inc. recorded the microsatellite’s first successful measurement of a methane emission from a known oil and gas facility in Turkmenistan. A week later, the satellite operator tasked Iris to measure a much smaller, controlled methane release from a test site in Alberta, Canada. The satellite-based measurement was successful and confirmed with an airborne sensor. www.utias-sfl.net

Statewide California LiDAR mapping project

VeriDaaS Corp. is planning a high-density LiDAR elevation data collection at a minimum of 30 points per meter (ppm) over the entire State of California in the Spring 2021 as part of the VeriDaaS National Mapping Initiative (VeriMAP™). Higher density data above 30 ppm is also an option if stakeholder commitments are secured before the planned start of the project.

VeriDaaS will be using the Geiger-mode LiDAR sensor systems and multiple fixedwing aircraft for the project. The sensors are optimized for highly efficient collection of high-density data from higher altitudes while maintaining precision and accuracy over wide geographic areas. https://veridaas.com

GAF AG and BKG intensify their cooperation

GAF AG, one of the largest European providers of geographic information services with a focus on earth observation, has won an international tendering process issued by the German Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG) for the provision of remote sensing data. The framework agreement concluded on that basis includes consulting services and the granting of exclusive access to the BKG and its users to high-resolution and very high-resolution optical satellite images and radar images.

The cooperation with GAF is designed to ensure the fastest possible acquisition and delivery of remote sensing data, in normal and emergency modes, for especially time-critical activations.

China launches latest trio of Yaogan-30 RS satellites

China launched a seventh group of Yaogan-30 reconnaissance satellites Oct. 26, marking the country’s 31st launch of 2020. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC), China’s stateowned main space contractor, confirmed launch success. The trio of satellites are expected to orbit in a roughly 600 kilometer altitude orbit inclined by 35 degrees. They join six earlier groups of Yaogan-30 designated satellites in similar orbits. The first Yaogan-30 trio was launched in September 2017. https://spacenews.com

Inertial Labs releases RESEPI

The Remote Sensing Payload Instrument or RESEPI is an affordable solution for extremely accurate remote sensing applications. It was designed with the purpose of private labeling, so Inertial Labs’ partners have the ability to put their branding on both the hardware and software components of the complete remote sensing solution.

RESEPI is composed of Dual Antenna GPS-Aided Inertial Navigation System (INS) with a dual use Novatel RTK/PPK GNSS receiver, and is integrated with a Linux-based processing platform. With an embedded cellular modem, RESEPI supports in-flight RTCM corrections for immediate RTK point cloud generation. In addition, RESEPI can be integrated with a variety of the industry leading LiDAR providers. inertiallabs.com