Next-Generation Space Camera Currently Under Development

The Melbourne University has joined-up with the German Aerospace centre to create the sharpest camera to date designed to capture images of Earth which will help enhance agriculture and emergency management. 

The Camera

This incredible camera is called an earth sensing imaging spectrometer. It can shoot infrared images and photos of our planet which are invisible to the naked eye!

"It will be a game-changer in terms of resolution and number of channels utilised for imaging the earth's surface," said Dr Peter Moar from La Trobe.

Once the images are captured, the camera beams them to the International Space Station, where they are then sent down to Earth.

What Does This Project Hope To Achieve?

If the camera is a success then it could potentially take some guesswork out of (and simplify) agriculture by: 

• Analysing crops

• Predicting the state of crops

• Analysing vegetation conditions across the Earth’s surface

As well as, improving emergency management: 

• Flooding, fire, ash clouds, storm alerts

• Rain and Drought alerts

The Project

La Trobe University’s team of engineers, mathematicians, computer scientists and naturalists will develop the software and hardware for the controls, while the Germans will focus on the optics.

If all goes well other joint ventures (which are already in talks) may eventuate in the realm of advanced aircraft & satellite monitoring & surveillance systems.

Germany Is An Ideal Research & Development Partner For This Project

One of the lead researchers, Dr Eddie Custovic, is an electrical engineer and Industry Project Coordinator. He noted the Germans have just recently come up with a high-resolution imaging systems which can pin-point smoke trails & small fires from space.

“With Australia's enormous land mass, technologies such as these are crucial for effective natural disaster management,” he said.

When Will It Be A Reality?

The prototype was in development for 6 months, it won’t be until mid-2016 when a version is space-ready. The launch is not expected until sometime in 2017.

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