Earth-i has released the first video taken by their VividX2, the technology prototype for its Vivid-i constellation.
Launched on January 12, 2018, VividX2 is the world’s first commercial satellite able to provide full-color video of life on Earth. Weighing 100 kg. and measuring approximately 1 cubic meter, VividX2 is orbiting at 505 km. above the Earth and traveling at approximately 7 km. per second. At the heart of the satellite is an Ultra High Definition (UHD) camera that captures high-resolution images for any location on Earth — and also films up to two minutes of video at a time as the satellite passes over each target location.
The newly released video footage was taken as VividX2 passed over a range of targeted locations under the craft's sun-synchronous polar orbit. The clips show videos of numerous different locations across the globe, and some of the intriguing new insights that can be quickly derived from the video. These first sequences represent just a fraction of the data already collected by VividX2 and demonstrate Earth-i's ability to deliver an unprecedented level of detail in Full Motion Video (FMV), while also extracting still imagery to meet an ever-wider range of needs.
The new videos and still images can be found at
https://earthi.space/colourvideofromspace
Earth-i is showcasing the first color videos from VividX2, and demonstrating potential applications, at the 34th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs on 16-19 April, and at the GEOINT geospatial intelligence exhibition in Tampa on 23-25 April. Visitors to these major industry events will be able to discuss Earth-i’s range of innovative new capabilities including:
- The provision of high definition images and color video with resolutions better than one meter for any location on Earth
- The ability to capture and analyze moving objects such as vehicles, vessels and aircraft in Ultra High Definition color video
- Revisiting the same location multiple times per day with agile satellites that can be pointed to image specific areas of interest and acquire high-frame rate imagery
- Rapid tasking of satellites to take images or video, and fast data download within minutes of acquisition
- Delivering additional contextual depth of information from motion and time — the 4th dimension
- The current VividX2 mission is the product of a unique collaboration between Earth-i, the Ministry of Defence, Defence Science and Technology Laboratories (DSTL) and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), all of the UKRichard Blain, CEO of Earth-i, said that commercial color video from space represents a major breakthrough for the industry and a world first. This initial footage shows what is now possible — with more videos being acquired every day. The depth and quality of data the company can now acquire takes Earth Observation (EO)-based big data analytics to a new level. The way Earth-i captures video allows for a broader range of contextual insights to be derived than is possible with traditional still imagery.
Richard Blain, CEO of Earth-i, said that commercial color video from space represents a major breakthrough for the industry and a world first. This initial footage shows what is now possible — with more videos being acquired every day. The depth and quality of data Earth-i can now acquire takes Earth Observation (EO)-based big data analytics to a new level. The way video is captured allows for a broader range of contextual insights to be derived than is possible with traditional still imagery.
Screenshot captured from the VividX2 satellite video imaging the Dubai Airport. Image is courtesy of Earth-i.
He added that processing techniques, such as image stacking, can be applied to high frame rate video to increase effective resolution to levels as good as 60 cm. for still and video imagery. With the rich data being received from VividX2, the company is improving and developing advanced data analytics, new capabilities and insights from intelligent platforms, including the use of computer vision and machine learning.
Graham Turnock, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, added that the UK has a long history of innovation and is now demonstrating the world’s first commercial satellite that can capture full color video of Earth from space. With applications ranging from defense to disaster response, this is a great example of the strength of the UK space sector, which the agency continues to support as part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy.
Sarah Parker, the Managing Director of SSTL, noted that successful acquisition of the satellite’s first color video from space is a pivotal moment in the development and deployment of this new technology — work has already begun on the manufacture of the next batch of five production satellites for Earth-i’s Vivid-i constellation while they develop new applications from a stream of video data from VividX2.
Earth-i is also investing heavily in its big data analytics systems to enable easy acquisition and analysis of imagery, and the use of advanced algorithms and machine learning to extract further value from the unique data gathered by its constellation.
