These are exciting times.
The race to space is on. Accessibility to space and the privatization of technological advances; coupled with the associated growth in space imaging capabilities is reaching exciting levels.
Two recent examples of this are PlanetLabs and SpaceX.
Planet Labs
From their website:
Planet designs, builds, and launches satellites faster than any company or government in history by using lean, low-cost electronics and design iteration. Our Doves, which make up the world’s largest constellation of Earth-imaging satellites, “line scan” the planet to image the entire Earth daily. We launch new satellites into orbit every three or four months.
Imagine that: every day, everywhere on the globe, Planet’s Dove satellites capture images.
That alone, is a staggering thought.
Here’s a good read about how Planet got going.
SpaceX
If you haven’t heard of Elon Musk recently then you’ve likely been living under a rock. SpaceX is one of his many exciting business pursuits pushing boundaries of what many consider possible/feasible/economic. He’s rattled the automotive industry with Telsa and his fleet of electric vehicles. He’s challenging viability of alternative energy resources via SolarCity. SpaceX is his push into the space industry.
From their website:
SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 to revolutionize space technology, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets.
Hearing Elon Musk talk so matter of factly about multi planetary exploration, future transportation possibilities and the exploration of what is possible renews my faith in the insatiable power of human curiosity and scientific discovery.
SRD GIS 