The Tiny Satellites Ushering in the New Space Revolution

July 19th, 2017

Smile for the birdy.

Via: Bloomberg:

With all 149 satellites in place, Planet will be able to photograph every inch of Earth’s surface every day—something even the U.S. government can’t do.

This satellite constellation is one of many signs that the relationship between humans and space is changing in ways unseen since Russia and the U.S. began sending rockets into orbit six decades ago. Thanks to modern software, artificial intelligence, advances in electronics and materials, and a generation of aggressive, unconventional entrepreneurs, we are awash in space startups. These companies envision an era in which rockets take off daily, filling the skies with satellites that sense Earth’s every action—in effect building a computational shell around our planet. The people constructing this bustling new economic highway promise it will improve life down below, but the future they describe is packed with wonder and controversy in equal measure—and although few have noticed, it’s coming to pass right now.

One Response to “The Tiny Satellites Ushering in the New Space Revolution”

  1. Dennis says:

    Much as I like the resulting democratization of the knowledge made available through advancing and cheapening satellite technologies, this is one area of human endeavour and culture where I would very much like to see an overarching world body overseeing orbits, construction and design standards because…space junk.

    Perhaps it would be helpful if there were compulsory satellite ‘apoptosis’ algorithms and directing mechanisms built in to all satellites to enable faulty satellites to direct themselves to a flaming end over an unpopulated area if they became faulty.

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