GIScience & Remote Sensing, Volume 48, Number 1 / January-March 2011
“Although potential applications abound, small-scale unmanned aerial vehicles have not yet been widely used for environmental remote sensing. Several challenges remain to be overcome until widespread adoption is possible. One problem is the challenge inherent in flying fragile small-scale aircraft with low weight limits and narrow center of gravity tolerances. Other challenges include: (1) the hostile natural environment in which the aircraft fly; (2) the limits of on-board power; (3) the paucity of commercially available sensors; (4) the difficulties involved in managing and analyzing the large imagery volume generated during a sortie; and (5) the federal regulations in the United States designed to ensure the safety of commercial and private air travel. Each of these challenges is formidable, and overcoming them will require the use of technologies that are currently experimental. However, within each challenge are opportunities for researchers willing to act as innovative pioneers in the remote sensing community.”

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Comments

  • Hmmm, something new in these 13 pages? There is potential, there are challenges... Oh, yes...

    Conclusion says.. the same.

    And why rely on a 30 year old reference...

    Sorry, but I don´t see relevant information in that paper.

    Most important challenges, meaning finding applications where sUAS can bring benefits over other systems are not adressed. Because in my opinion in the end these systems can only be successful if they give you saving in cash! Compare complete system costs of pro sUAS to a Cessna... Hard to beat in most cases...

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