German startup Constellr 17 published the first thermal images of Tokyo in March, received from its new satellite Skybee-1. This is the first device in the future group of thermal imaging High-precision Versatile Ecosphere (HiVE).
Thermal analysis of the city
Skybee-1 allows you to create detailed maps of temperature distribution in urban areas, in particular track, how water in rivers cools the urban environment, determine industrial activity and analyze the state of the infrastructure.
The satellite provides thermal resolution 30 m² per pixel, which allows accurate analysis of urban areas. The obtained data will be used for urban planning, infrastructure condition monitoring and preventive maintenance.
The launch of Skybee-1 and future missions
The satellite was launched 14 January as part of a joint flight on a SpaceX Falcon rocket 9. The second Skybee satellite is scheduled for launch this summer, which will double the frequency of data collection: if now Skybee-1 captures territories in equatorial latitudes once every four days, after the commissioning of the second device, this interval will be shortened.
Thermal satellites for climate monitoring
Until recently, thermal imaging of the Earth was carried out mainly by state agencies, however, in recent years, private companies have begun to actively develop this direction.
IN 2023 Constellr received a contract from the European Commission and the European Space Agency last year (THIS) for the supply of data from thermal satellites. Last September, the company also signed a multi-year agreement with the German Space Agency (DLR).
According to ESA mission manager Peggy Fisher, high-precision thermal imaging will allow more effective monitoring of urban heat, state of water resources and climate change.
Creation of a digital double of the Earth
In addition to collecting your own data, Constellr is developing a digital Earth replica, using artificial intelligence algorithms. The company integrates low-resolution images from open sources with its own high-precision data, which allows creating a continuous map of the Earth's temperature.
This approach significantly reduces the cost of collecting information and allows for forecasting of ecological processes with high accuracy.
Source: https://spacenews.com/constellr-releases-first-light-imagery-of-tokyo/