IMAGING

FARO® introduces 3D Solutions for AEC Industry

FARO® is previewing an innovative set of 3D solutions specifically developed for AEC professionals.

The FARO Indoor Mobile Scanning solution enables kinematic 3D scans to be completed up to 7X faster than a series of traditional, fixed point scans over comparable areas. Thus, projects that took days can be executed in just a few hours. Additionally, as the Mobile Scanner includes fixed scan capability as a standard feature, users can simply switch to high-fidelity scan mode in real time for seamless integration with mobile scan data. www.faro.com/in

Delair to provide flexible access to cloud-based drone photogrammetry

Delair has announced its unlimited photogrammetry plan, available through its cloud-based delair.ai visual intelligence platform. The flexible plan offers a fixedmonthly subscription fee to access delair. ai to create digital maps and models, while managing the data on a secure and scalable cloud architecture which supports additional functionalities such as data sharing, advanced analytics, annotations, and more. www.delair.aero.

Airbus completes ocean satellite Sentinel-6A

Airbus has completed the ocean satellite ‘Copernicus Sentinel-6A’, and is now sending it on its first journey. Its destination: Ottobrunn near Munich in Germany, where over the next six months the satellite will undergo an extensive series of tests at Industrieanlagen Betriebsgesellschaft mbH(IABG) to prove its readiness for space.

‘Copernicus Sentinel-6’ will carry out high-precision measurements of ocean surface topography. The satellite will measure its distance to the ocean surface with an accuracy of a few centimetres and, over a mission lasting up to seven years, use this data to map it, repeating the cycle every 10 days. It will document changes in sea-surface height, record and analyse variations in sea levels and observe ocean currents. Exact observations of changes in seasurface height provide insights into global sea levels, the speed and direction of ocean currents, and ocean heat storage. These measurements are vital for modelling the oceans and predicting rises in sea levels. AirbusMedia

GSA, EIB sign agreement

The EIB and the European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency signed an agreement to cooperate on supporting investment in the European space-based service economy. The signature took place in Prague during the celebration to mark the 15th anniversary of GSA.

To explore new investment support for the European space-based economy, the EIB and GSA are bringing together their expertise and experience. The common objective is to create high-skill jobs in the EU and improve the day-today lives of Europeans by supporting innovative companies and accelerating the development of new applications that use European global navigation satellite systems and earth observation data.

According to a recent EIB and European Commission study on the future of the European space sector, European space entrepreneurs feel there is a lack of private financing sources, particularly for late-stage investments. They therefore tend to keep an eye on private capital outside the EU, especially in the US. www.gsa.europa.eu

Remote sensing shows scenic spot Jiuzhaigou recovering from earthquake

Remote sensing research shows that Jiuzhaigou scenic spot in southwest China’s Sichuan Province is recovering from an earthquake in 2017, according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

Researchers from the Aerospace Information Research Institute under the CAS and UNESCO’s International Center on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritages (HIST) combined satellite remote sensing, UAV low-altitude remote sensing system as well as field investigation to monitor and evaluate the environmental changes in Jiuzhaigou.

After analyzing the remote sensing images, researchers found that after two years of natural restoration, the vegetation ecology in the core area of Jiuzhaigou has gradually recovered to the pre-earthquake level. However, it is still necessary to guard against geological disasters such as landslides and mudslides. www.xinhuanet.com

China launches new remotesensing satellites

Five new remote-sensing satellites were sent into planned orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China’s Gobi Desert.

The satellites belong to a commercial remote-sensing satellite constellation project “Zhuhai-1,” which will comprise 34 micro-nano satellites, including video, hyperspectral, and high-resolution optical satellites, as well as radar and infrared satellites.

The carrier rocket was developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, and the satellites were produced by the Harbin Institute of Technology and operated by the Zhuhai Orbita Aerospace Science and Technology Co. Ltd. www.xinhuanet.com

NASA announces new tipping point partnerships

NASA has selected 14 American companies as partners whose technologies will help enable the agency’s Moon to Mars exploration approach.

The selections are based on NASA’s fourth competitive Tipping Point solicitation and have a combined total award value of about $43.2 million. This investment in the U.S. space industry, including small businesses across the country, will help bring the technologies to market and ready them for use by NASA. www.nasa.gov

Vexcel Imaging launches Europe’s High Aerial Image Library

Vexcel Imaging has announced the launch of Europe’s highest quality and most up-to-date aerial image library. Starting in Germany, the cloud-based image library, now available via subscription service, enables companies, public safety organizations and government agencies to save a significant amount of time and money by making it fast and simple to acquire up-to-date, concise, high-definition imagery and leverage it organizationwide into critical location intelligence.

Starting with orthorectified imagery at 20 cm resolution, the subscription service also includes near-infrared imagery and derivative data products such as digital terrain models, making it easy for organizations to integrate geospatial location information into their tools and workflows.

Vexcel Imaging is in the process of capturing aerial imagery of Germany at 20 cm with its UltraCam Condor Mark 1 Airborne System. www.vexcel-imaging.com

Leica CityMapper-2

Leica Geosystems introduces the Leica CityMapper-2. This next-generation hybrid oblique imaging and LiDAR sensor provide fast and efficient digitization of cities.

The new sensor is designed to provide faster updates while preserving image quality over a wide range of flying conditions.

The most significant improvement comes from the newly developed optical system incorporating two nadir (RGB & NIR) and four oblique 150 MP metric cameras using CMOS technology and equipped with Leica Geosystem’s unique mechanical forward-motion-compensation (FMC). The LiDAR sensor’s pulse repetition frequency has been increased to 2 MHz and features gateless Multiple-Pulsesin- the-Air (MPiA) technology.