QLD Tech Talk - Current Space and Satellite technology

Title: Current Space and Satellite technology

Presenter: Mark Covington - Geoimage, Enterprise Solutions Manager.

Date: Tuesday 26th April 2022

Time: 17.15 – 19.00

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0YOmEKwtQ325qUukPVVczQ

Abstract:

Last century, Man set foot on the moon and shortly after, in 1972 the first satellite was launched with the express intent of monitoring our planet's landmasses. Over the following decades, technology advanced and the applications for using Earth Observation also grew. In 2022, Satellites no longer need to weigh the same as a sedan and cost a billion dollars to design, build and launch. With advances in technology leading to miniaturisation and the arrival of ride sharing launches, space is now accessible to almost anyone with passion, a good idea and a pitch to venture capitalists. In this presentation, I will take us on a brief history of satellite evolution and lead us into a discussion on using Short Wave Infrared and other wavelengths for mineral exploration. We will look at using tri-stereo optical imagery to generate more accurate DEMs, discuss how radar can be used to see geological structures and how the phase component of radio waves can be used to measure changes at the scale of mm, and how this method can be used for monitoring hydrocarbon basins and mine induced subsidence. Finally, I will offer a glimpse of the future, of some of the new satellite startup companies and how those technologies will change our view of the world.