IMAGING

Teledyne Optech launches CZMIL SuperNova

Teledyne Optech and Teledyne CARIS have announced their next generation bathymetric lidar, the CZMIL SuperNova. It boasts the best depth performance and the highest green laser point density in its class. Introducing SmartSpacing technology for even and efficient point spacing, realtime processing capability for reduced post-processing time and configurable modes for maximizing performance in different water environments, the SuperNova provides a wide range of inputs for climate change modelling and is Ideal for inland water environments, base mapping for coastal zones and shoreline. www.teledyneoptech.com

LDROBOT announces launch of LD-AIR LiDAR

LDROBOT has announced the launch of LD-AIR LiDAR, a ready-to-use compliant laser sensor with 360-degree sensing capabilities. This affordable LiDAR component makes any robot smarter and is available now on Kickstarter. The ability to recognize objects and the environment is a key feature of many robots. LiDAR enables robots to scan their surroundings, make highly accurate maps, and navigate freely. Using advanced technology, LD-AIR LiDAR is a highaccuracy TOF sensor with a 360-degree scanning range that is able to sense the surrounding environment by taking up to 4,500 laser ranging samples per second to actualize obstacle detection and autonomously map any area. ldrobot.com

Satellite-based maritime surveillance services for the UK Royal Navy

The UK Royal Navy has awarded a 12 month contract extension to Airbus covering the continued provision of satellite-based maritime surveillance services for the Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC). The contract follows the successful completion of a proof of concept phase, and will ensure the continued monitoring of areas of interest in UK waters and ultimately protect UK sovereign borders from suspicious vessel activity.

Using optical and radar imaging as well as AIS (Automatic Identification System) data, Airbus will provide reports about vessels within the UK Exclusive Economic Zone, as well as information that will help in the prevention of potential illegal activities.

JMSC, which is the UK government’s center of excellence for maritime security, required a series of services that would provide intelligence to augment their own surveillance activities. Under the agreement, JMSC will benefit from a large range of Airbus’ surveillance and analytics capabilities. www.airbus.com

Microsoft becomes a founding member of Space ISAC

The Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) has announced Microsoft Corporation has become the Space ISAC’s newest founding member. The Space ISAC is the only spacededicated ISAC with a mission to facilitate collaboration across the global space industry to enhance the nation’s ability to prepare for and respond to vulnerabilities, incidents, and threats; to disseminate timely and actionable information among member firms; and to serve as the primary communications channel for the sector with respect to this information. This mission is made possible through the investment by initial founders which also serve as board members. https://s-isac.org

Orbital Sidekick announces upcoming launch of Aurora

Orbital Sidekick (OSK) has announced the upcoming launch of its newest and most powerful hyperspectral imaging satellite: “Aurora.” It leverages OSK’s previous experience collecting and analyzing hyperspectral data to provide actionoriented insights on the world around us, with a core focus on sustainability. The Aurora satellite will serve OSK’s customers in the energy, mining, and defense sectors, including expanding contracts and pilot program opportunities for oil and gas pipeline monitoring & methane mapping, clean energy resource exploration, sustainable mining practices, and wildfire risk mitigation.

The Orbital Sidekick Aurora Satellite is a 30-kilogram precursor to the six 100-kilogram ESPA class GHOSt satellites scheduled for launch in 2022. Seattlebased launch services provider Spaceflight will be coordinating the launch with a total of 36 payloads onboard the SpaceX Transporter-2 rideshare mission, taking place June 25, 2021 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Base in Florida. orbitalsidekick.com

India launches LiDAR survey reports to augment water in forest areas

Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, Government of India has released LiDAR-based reports mapping out the water requirement within forest areas in 10 states. These reports will be used to augment groundwater in forest areas so that animals don’t venture out in search of water, Javadekar said.

The LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology was used to create 3-D images of the project areas to recommend soil and water conservation structures. The surveys were carried out at forest areas in Assam, Bihar, Chhatisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Nagaland, and Tripura.

The project was awarded to WAPCOS, a PSU under the Jal Shakti Ministry, is a first of its kind and a unique experiment using LiDAR technology which will help augment water and fodder in jungles areas thereby reducing humananimal conflict. With the participation of State Forest Departments, WAPCOS identified one major ridge inside a forest block in these states with average area of 10,000 ha selected in each State for preparation of Detailed Project Reports for planning and identifying locations and structures for construction of appropriate and feasible micro soil and water conservation structures consistent with site specific geography, topography and soil characteristics. https://indianexpress.com

UP42 teams with HEAD Aerospace

UP42 has signed an agreement with HEAD Aerospace of Beijing to make image data from more than 40 innovative Chinese Earth Observation satellites available on the UP42 marketplace. The broad selection of imaging capabilities from the constellations dramatically expands the range of applications in multiple sectors, with the most significant benefits expected in Infrastructure, Transportation, Utilities, Agriculture, Government.

The UP42 marketplace currently contains more than 50 geospatial data sets, including satellite imagery from six international organizations. The newly added satellites’ diverse and often unique imaging capabilities include wideswath imaging at very high resolution, nighttime acquisitions, frequent intraday revisits, tri-stereo collection, and hyperspectral imaging. HEAD Aerospace is the international distributor of satellite imagery collected by commercial Earth Observation missions. https://up42.com

FARO acquires HoloBuilder Inc.

FARO® Technologies, Inc. has announced the acquisition of HoloBuilder, Inc. HoloBuilder brings to FARO its leading photogrammetry-based 3D platform, which delivers hardware agnostic image capture, registration and viewing to the fast-growing Digital Twin market. With an initial focus on Construction Management, HoloBuilder’s technology platform provides general contractors a solution to efficiently capture and virtually manage construction progress using offthe- shelf 360° cameras. www.faro.com