Unmanned aerial vehicles and images from space: Is this the future of firefighting?
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“…Right now, in addition to Ikhana, that network includes two high-tech satellites that are also being used to monitor the wildfires. The Terra and Earth Observing-1 (EO1) satellites have sensors that use telescopes and cameras to scan the planet for natural disasters and send data back for scientists to review. The Terra’s sensor has a one-kilometer range—large enough to locate hotspots from space but too huge to focus in on specific sites. The EO1 has a 30-meter range for closer views of natural disasters, and the UAV delivers even more detailed information. NASA is working to combine these tools to create a web of sensors that rescue workers could use to find the information they needed quickly and efficiently…”
The EO-1 SensorWeb Enabled Data Node GeoBliki is at the center of the EO-1 tasking and data publishing using GeoRSS Feeds. Using OpenGeoSpatial (OGC) standards, the satellite can be tasked and the data custom processed using workflows. Products are then distributed via a subscription mechanism.
The framework is open-source and based on Ruby-on-rails. Integrating sensors for the SensorWeb is a matter of quickly duplicating those data nodes with some minor customization for the sensor itself.