Proteus Geo, a leading provider of satellite-based mapping services and data, together with DHI, the world renowned consultant group within water environments, has won the backing of the European Space Agency (ESA) to create a new bathymetry data service that leverages DigitalGlobe satellite imagery to allow everyone to explore the shallows around the world’s coastlines.
Over the last four years, Proteus Geo has worked in partnership with DHI to provide a vast range of customers with bathymetry data, derived from satellites.
This new and affordable service has allowed engineers, defence forces and environmentalists (amongst many other users) to remotely learn about the sea and lake beds under shallow water, where access has previously been difficult and expensive.
ESA has now awarded Proteus Geo and DHI with substantial financial backing to improve the efficiency of the data processing chain and encourage the wider use of this source of vital information.
Starting now, the companies will use high-accuracy, high-resolution satellite imagery captured by DigitalGlobe’s satellite constellation to create a dataset that will show the depth of water in over 100,000 km2 of both salt and fresh water coastlines.
Alongside the creation of the data, Proteus Geo will also develop an on-line portal that will allow simple and fast access for customers from all over the world.
Richard Flemmings, Director of Proteus Geo explains the advantages of providing affordable, off-the-shelf bathymetry data to anyone who needs it; “There is currently a lack of bathymetry data around the world due to the high costs, lead-time, and health and safety issues involved in collecting this data using boats and aircraft.This project and service will be a practical step to break down the barriers to easily accessing the data in a standardised format.”
“High-resolution imaging satellites are ideal for this purpose, as the data can be created quickly and consistently over large areas and leveraged for many applications. This exciting project presents a paradigm shift away from bathymetry data being delivered on a project-by-project basis, to data being available off-the-shelf through an instant online portal.”
The project is being supported by ESA’s ARTES 20 programme (Advances Research in Telecommunications Systems) which responds to users’ needs using a combination of different space assets such as Earth Observation, navigation and telecommunications.
For more information on the project pelase contact Richard Flemmings [email protected]
