Orbit Logic Adds Augmented Reality to SpyMeSat

Recently in the news we have seen a lot of satellite imagery depicting fires and hurricanes and their resultant damage, as well as satellite imagery of wartorn areas of the world such as Afghanistan. Of course this type of imagery is not new, but new ways of being able to display and gain greater understanding of a situation are invaluable to those tasked with analyzing such data.

Greenbelt, Maryland’s Orbit Logic’s SpyMeSat mobile app now includes an augmented reality (AR) interface that provides better awareness of overflying imaging satellites. The AR view overlays the orbit and position of satellites that can image your location, providing a better understanding of satellite viewing geometry and potential obstructions; e.g., to know if an image taken by that satellite of your position would be obscured by a tree or a building. The AR interface also displays relevant information about the satellite and its capabilities, that includes the timing and dynamic geometry of the pass as well as the resolution achievable by satellite sensors.

In addition to the new real-time imaging satellite awareness, SpyMeSat provides on-demand access to recent archive satellite imagery and the ability to request new tasking directly from a mobile device. Multi-phenomenology data (i.e., optical, infrared, synthetic aperture radar, and more) is available through an easy in-app process of preview, select, payment and delivery that can be completed in seconds, quickly providing archived satellite imagery for any location on demand. When archive imagery is insufficient and new data is required, users can review available satellites, better understand the data collection environment through the AR interface, and purchase tasking based on cost, responsiveness, and capability.

While the standard SpyMeSat enables marketplace interactions between the public and commercial satellite imagery providers, Orbit Logic also develops custom mobile applications that are designed specifically for better situational awareness and easier data-access/tasking supporting specific missions. The new AR interface will enhance these users’ mission effectiveness by facilitating better understanding of how data collection might be impacted by surrounding terrain or other spatial factors. Examples of bespoke SpyMeSat deployments include government versions for government assets and versions for awareness of satellite communications opportunities for contact scheduling, data transfer, and command uplink.

Alex Herz, President, Orbit Logic spoke with GISCafe Voice about the new AR functionality and how it will benefit users.

Can you explain how the new AR functionality benefits users?
The AR feature provides users with enhanced situational awareness of overflight imaging access based on local obstructions and terrain.

Who are the primary users of this technology. are they GIS professionals?
We have 35,000 registered users.  Some are GIS professionals, but we have plenty of lay users without any prior knowledge of satellite imagery. SpyMeSat was designed for ease of use for users of any knowledge base.

How does the tasking from a mobile device work in SpyMeSat?
SpyMeSat tasking requests go to the SpyMeSat server in the AWS cloud, which connects to the various satellite operator tasking interfaces.  We have agreements in place with operators including Planet, Maxar, KOMPSAT, SkyMap50, etc.  Status responses are returned to the user, along with delivered images (JPEG for mobile and GEOTIFF for GIS applications).

How would you be using this technology during big weather events like the Hurricane Ida for pre-hurricane as well as post-hurricane damage?
Optical imagery can be used to provide a pre-hurricane baseline images and post-hurricane damage assessments and recovery coordination.

Was the technology used in the recent evacuation from Afghanistan?

Yes.  We are supporting users acquiring imagery via SpyMeSat to help with the Afghanistan withdrawal and post-withdrawal assessments and decision-making.

How is this technology helpful with cloud cover situations?
SpyMeSat optical imagery sources cannot see through clouds, but we also have a KOMPSAT-5 radar imaging option in SpyMeSat.

SpyMeSat is now available in the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Tags: augmented reality, data, geospatial, GIS, GPS, imagery, Infrastructure, intelligence, LiDAR, location, mapping, maps, Orbit Logic, remote sensing, satellite imagery

Categories: 3D Cities, analytics, asset management, Big Data, climate change, cloud, data, emergency response, field GIS, geospatial, GIS, government, GPS, location based services, mapping

This entry was posted on Friday, September 3rd, 2021 at 7:51 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.