The study suggests using satellite data to create better 3D visualizations of the Earth could be useful in directing natural disaster responses.
Researchers have developed a way to use satellite imaging data to create 3D images that could quickly detect changes on the Earth’s surface, a new study says.
The tool could be used to detect significant natural disasters in remote regions of the globe soon after they happen, giving first responders accurate information about the needs of the region affected.
The Planetscope satellite constellation, operated by the satellite data company Planet, collects weekly and sometimes even daily images of the entire globe. On average, its fleet of Cubesats, or miniature satellites, has about 1,700 images of every location on Earth. The data they capture has been used to monitor the spread of wildfires, detect changes in crop health and survey areas of deforestation.
That kind of global coverage is unprecedented, said Rongjun Qin, co-author of the study and an associate professor of civil, environmental and geodetic engineering at The Ohio State University.
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