Satellite Imaging Industry Applications
Artificial satellites use remote sensing to gather data for a host of reasons; we typically think of
aerial photos, digital elevation models,
and GIS applications as being used by government agencies for reconnaissance, military movements, and other modes of international intelligence.
But satellite imaging has many applications outside this realm. Industries such as oil and gas, agriculture, and real estate development all use
satellite images to aid their research and monitor the environment through specialized spectral analysis and image interpretation.
Oil and Gas
How do the big oil and gas companies know where to drill or construct their pipelines? How do investors know whether to speculate on a site?
Satellite imaging is paramount in the oil and gas industry for these very purposes, and more. Satellites do not simply take pictures--their
data can be used to define geological surface features and confirm the position accuracy of vintage seismic and well coordinate
databases,
as well as to construct 3D terrain models of land under speculation.
Not only does satellite imaging help create landscape models for selecting corridors for pipelines and transmission lines, it is also
extremely useful for monitoring the exploration and oil and gas production activities that might affect the environment. Satellite imaging
can be used to detect events such as deforestation, urban sprawl, and oil leakage. Satellite images are valuable throughout the entire
process of planning, exploration, development and production of oil and gas reserves around the
world.
Agriculture
We know that farming is much more complex a science than simply sowing seeds and waiting for rain. Satellite images are useful to the
agriculture industry in a variety of ways, crop assessment being chief among them. Scientists use satellite imaging to
predict yield long before the harvest, as well as to evaluate the growth of particular crops over set periods of time.
Remote sensing allows for analyses of water bodies near agricultural areas, which in turn helps determine the success of
seasonal crops. It can also be used to assess environmental and meteorological changes such as flood, drought, cold snaps, heat waves,
snow cover, and tornado activity, all of which affect growth and harvesting.
Real Estate Development
Many real estate companies use digital aerial photography and satellite images to tout their developments, but more complex satellite imaging
applications are increasingly in use to help real estate developers plan their sites to minimize both construction costs and environmental damage.
By surveying the land on a much grander scale, real estate developers can better plan to avoid building in flood plains or near ecologically sensitive areas.
A newer, more cutting-edge use of satellite imaging technology is the use of 3D terrain flythrough
models,
which may be used to show potential investors exactly what to expect prior to building. While its applications are still growing in this
field, satellite imaging is surely becoming an integral element of the real estate industry.
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