Well nearly, satellites have been in orbit for the last 62 years completing earth observation. Over the next few years there is going to be a significant amount up there with an estimated 1100 satellites being launched each year in 2025, up from 365 last year. This makes space debris an escalating hazard.
Imagery resolution is constantly increasing with the GeoEye-1 Satellite now being able to collect images with a ground resolution of 0.41meters (16 inches).
It is fascinating what you can see from space, and Google Earth provides a great opportunity to have a look pretty much anywhere, as Michael MCintyre says ‘you can go anywhere, anywhere in the world and we all come to the same conclusion: “where’s my house?” ‘.
New satellites are being launched continuously, enabling imagery to be more commercially viable due to higher quality and lower prices. I’ve pulled together below six thought-provoking structures/events that can be seen from space.
Aluminium Stockpile
In these images on the right you can see an aluminium stockpile, this one being so significant in size that it was visible to satellites.
This one in particular was two years ago, near a bend in the Mississippi river outside New Orleans.
Identifying change from images such as these can provide insight on inventories of commodities.
Drone Attack on Saudi Oil Facilities:
Satellite imagery is more frequently being used in catastrophe insurance. Looking at events pre and post an event, whether this be an earthquake, tornado, etc.
This image shows the aftermath of the drone attack on the Saudi oil facilities. This was captured by one of Planet’s small Dove satellites.
Open pit mines
In this image, you can see one of the largest producing copper mines in the world: Escondida Mine in Chile with an area around 18km north to south and 3km east to west. Construction of the mine started in 1988, and is in full flow today with more than 6,000 workers.
Egypt’s Great Pyramids of Giza
The monument has inspired innumerable theories about the methods used in the carving of the blocks, their movement and their final placement. The oldest and largest of the three pyramids is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact.
The Palm Islands in UAE
These three artificial islands, Palm Jumeirah, Deira Island and Palm Jebel Ali, which are located on the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Creation of the islands started in 2001 with the purpose to increase Dubai’s tourism.
New Century Global Center
Finally we look at one of the newest structures which is also the largest building in the world, which as you would imagine is in China. The building opened in 2013 and is 1,700,000 square metres of floor space which consists of shopping malls, water park, houses, hotel, theatre an ice rink and much more. I’ve actually been to it when I was in Chengdu and it is vast.
Satellites use in business
ChAI are using satellite data to identify change and activity at a number of sites including mines, smelters and warehouses in addition to collating freight movement in and out of particular ports. We augment this alternative data with economic data to predict the price of commodities thus enabling manufacturers to mitigate their commodity price risk and better manage their material costs. Get in touch if you are interested in using the latest technologies to increase your margins.
Author: Marcus Dixon, COO
Originally published at https://www.chai-uk.com on October 24, 2019.
