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NV5 Geospatial Blog

Each month, NV5 Geospatial posts new blog content across a variety of categories. Browse our latest posts below to learn about important geospatial information or use the search bar to find a specific topic or author. Stay informed of the latest blog posts, events, and technologies by joining our email list!


Not All Supernovae Are Created Equal: Rethinking the Universe’s Measuring Tools

Not All Supernovae Are Created Equal: Rethinking the Universe’s Measuring Tools

6/3/2025

Rethinking the Reliability of Type 1a Supernovae   How do astronomers measure the universe? It all starts with distance. From gauging the size of a galaxy to calculating how fast the universe is expanding, measuring cosmic distances is essential to understanding everything in the sky. For nearby stars, astronomers use... Read More >
Using LLMs To Research Remote Sensing Software: Helpful, but Incomplete

Using LLMs To Research Remote Sensing Software: Helpful, but Incomplete

5/26/2025

Whether you’re new to remote sensing or a seasoned expert, there is no doubt that large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini can be incredibly useful in many aspects of research. From exploring the electromagnetic spectrum to creating object detection models using the latest deep learning... Read More >
From Image to Insight: How GEOINT Automation Is Changing the Speed of Decision-Making

From Image to Insight: How GEOINT Automation Is Changing the Speed of Decision-Making

4/28/2025

When every second counts, the ability to process geospatial data rapidly and accurately isn’t just helpful, it’s critical. Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) has always played a pivotal role in defense, security, and disaster response. But in high-tempo operations, traditional workflows are no longer fast enough. Analysts are... Read More >
Thermal Infrared Echoes: Illuminating the Last Gasp of a Dying Star

Thermal Infrared Echoes: Illuminating the Last Gasp of a Dying Star

4/24/2025

This blog was written by Eli Dwek, Emeritus, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD and Research Fellow, Center for Astrophysics, Harvard & Smithsonian, Cambridge, MA. It is the fifth blog in a series showcasing our IDL® Fellows program which supports passionate retired IDL users who may need support to continue their work... Read More >
A New Era of Hyperspectral Imaging with ENVI® and Wyvern’s Open Data Program

A New Era of Hyperspectral Imaging with ENVI® and Wyvern’s Open Data Program

2/25/2025

This blog was written in collaboration with Adam O’Connor from Wyvern.   As hyperspectral imaging (HSI) continues to grow in importance, access to high-quality satellite data is key to unlocking new insights in environmental monitoring, agriculture, forestry, mining, security, energy infrastructure management, and more.... Read More >
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January Image of the Month: First look at Pléiades 1A data

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On December 22 CNES, the French space agency, published excerpts from the first images returned by its new Pléiades 1A sensor, launched December 17, 2011 by Soyouz.  Pléiades 1A was designed and built by Astrium GEO-Information Services for CNES.  Astrium will also distribute the data products.  Pléiades 1A collects high-resolution, coregistered, panchromatic and multispectral image data.  The spectral bands and spatial resolution are similar to those of US sensors such as QuickBird, with the panchromatic band having a 50-cm resolution.

Pléiades 1A has a 20-km ground swath, which is broader than that of any existing comparable sensor.  In addition, it has the ability to quickly swivel its sensor to acquire an even wider strip, or mosaic, of images around its target during a single pass overhead. The first full images from Pléiades 1A will be released to a limited audience in mid-January 2012, after the satellite reaches its final orbit.  Astrium expects to begin distributing Pléiades 1A products to all users in March 2012.

CNES plans to launch a twin sensor, Pléiades 1B, in 2013. After that launch, the Pléiades sensors will be capable of imaging any point on the globe on a daily basis.  The two Pléiades sensors will use the same orbit as SPOT 6 and 7, so that the four satellites will comprise a constellation capable of revisiting any point on the globe multiple times per day.

One of the innovations of Pléiades 1A is the ability to acquire both stereoscopic and tri-stereoscopic imagery.  Tri-stereoscopy is stereoscopy with an additional quasi vertical image.  This capability will allow Pléiades 1A to provide a 3-dimensional context for its optical data.

A first look at data from Pléiades 1A Multispectral Imagery
The Hassan II mosque, in Casablanca, Morocco, imaged by Pléiades 1A in December 2011.

“Over the next few months, Pléiades 1A will unveil its numerous innovations. Agility and reactivity are the new terms which now rhyme with very high-resolution imagery” declared Patrick le Roch, Executive Director of Astrium GEO-Information Services.

What do you think is the greatest benefit to satellite constellations like this? And, how do you think it will impact the remote sensing community?

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