Category Archives: Aerial/UAS
The Power of Tethered Drones
Before the FAA’s Rule 107 allowing UAS use for commercial work, we waited patiently (and often impatiently) for the day when UAS would be “unleashed.” Ironically, now a new class of UAS gets its power from actually being on a leash. Tethered drones use a hardware tether (as thin as a headphone cord) from the...
Robots for ExoMars: Drones and Space Exploration
Drones are being used to test a space rover in familiar ways. By Martin Azkarate UAV manufacturer senseFly talked to Martin Azkarate of the European Space Agency about his work developing rover prototypes for planetary exploration, including how he employs a senseFly drone to test these cutting-edge robots. Martin is a space automation and robotics...
Aerial Data Collection: Little Drone Takes on Big Airport
In a first-of-its-kind project, a UAS is tasked to collect aerial data of an international airport. By Jeff Salmon Normally when you add the words “drone” and “airport” to a sentence, it classifies as cringe-inducing. Just the opposite is true with this ground-breaking UAS project. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, usually abbreviated...
UAS: From FUD to FOMO
By Jeff Salmon Welcome to our semi-annual UAS-focused issue. Looking back over the last six years of UAS development, I am struck by how far the technology has progressed. Right before our eyes a new industry has developed, one that promises to bring far-reaching changes to our profession and indeed to the whole world. And...
15 Years of Growth at AXIS GeoSpatial
AXIS GeoSpatial provides more applications from one mapping effort. Easton, Maryland-based AXIS GeoSpatial LLC provides geospatial data and solutions to federal, state, and local government agencies and private sector firms, especially aerial mapping services. Heights talked with Erica Insley, marketing director for the firm. Heights: How did AXIS GeoSpatial get its start? Erica Insley: Founded in...
UAS Regulations Update
A look at recent and near-future legislation affecting UAVs for geospatial business use. By Jeff Salmon BVLOS Update The ability to fly beyond line of sight (BVLOS) is paramount to a wide range of UAS operations, including utility and pipeline inspections and monitoring, open pit mining, precision agriculture, corridor mapping, large-area mapping and surveying, and...
