Thursday, August 1, 2013

Helpful Information About Satellite Imagery

Helpful Information About Satellite Imagery

By Cathy Mercer


Recent advancements in satellite imagery have brought advanced digital cartography capabilities to anyone with an internet connection. Cartography is the science of map making. Most people are familiar with online maps. Sophisticated computer imaging software, that once would have only been available to well funded institutions, is now used by children and grandmothers, free of charge, on their smart phones.

High altitude images have many practical uses. The information these images provide helps farmers, weather forecasters, and defense strategists - just to name a few. The federal government has traditionally played an important role in promoting and advancing technology. This is no exception. High altitude photography was a part of NASA's space exploration programs. The Department of Defense created the internet. The federal government has been a strong partner with private industry in developing and promoting new technological innovation.

One of the most popular gadgets these days is the global positioning system or GPS. We have become accustomed to hearing that voice give us driving directions. Global positioning systems receive geographic coordinates from satellites. Cellphones use the same global positioning technology. These devices depend on databases of geographic data. These devices must be updated regularly in order to maintain accuracy.

The satellites orbiting the planet and the global positioning device engage in a conversation. The information sent back and forth between the device and the satellites is used to create a map of the most efficient route for the desired destination.

Satellites orbiting the planet transmit positioning data to the GPS device. When driving directions are requested from an internet page, the coordinates of where your journey begins and where it ends are used in calculating the most efficient route. As you are driving your car, your GPS device is in a dialogue with special satellites so your position is constantly advancing across the map.

Digital cartography and high altitude image processing have been a growth sector in the economy. The devices that use this technology are in their infancy. This industry is ready to expand and mature. Investors can take advantage of the situation as it is currently. However, investors ought to decide quickly before conditions change.

For students with an aptitude in mathematics, engineering or science, this is a field study that will offer many opportunities. We are experiencing the early development of this industry. There will be further growth and advancements as we find more valuable uses for this technology. Universities are now offering more classes and degrees in digital cartography and related fields. Students should have a talent for mathematics and engineering.

When consumers buy a new car, they now expect it to be equipped with a global positioning device. It has become an integral part of our everyday life. Like the smart phone, it is inconceivable how we could have possibly lived without it in the past. Thanks to risk takers, investors, scientists, and our government, we have invested in technology like satellite imagery so that we can use free digital maps.




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