What is open data?
The cost of remote sensing data acquisition has decreased exponentially over time with the expansion of connected and airborne sensors. As with most industrial and technical domains, price decreases follow innovation and scale. When humanity’s need for something is driven by both innovation and scale at the same time, it is possible to have a dramatic step-change in the cost and capability available to end users. We have seen this in the ability of individuals to get access to high-quality weather forecasts, aerial imagery, and other insights that can be derived from pointing flying cameras at our floating rock.
Bird’s-eye view
Most of the early advances in aerial photography were achieved by, and belonged to, military organizations. During World War II, planes in the air provided the opportunity to put cameras in the air. Recently captured photographs helped armies figure out what the enemy troops were doing. In the United States, the concept...