Bluesky Takes Aerial Mapping to New Levels in 2018

Bluesky has revealed plans to update over 160,000 square kilometres of aerial photography, colour infrared imagery and digital height models in 2018. When combined this equates to a total of 640,000 square kilometres of data updates across the four datasets – an area equivalent to the whole of France. This ambitious update programme will include London, Manchester, South Yorkshire, Kent, Surrey and West Sussex together with other large areas of England, Scotland and Wales due for renewal this season. Bluesky also anticipates the completion of its nationwide coverage of the Republic of Ireland.

Bluesky plans to capture at least 80,000 square kilometres of aerial photography at high resolutions, 12.5 and 10 cm, in addition to a further 52,000 square kilometres of imagery at standard 25cm resolution, across England, Wales and Scotland during the 2018 flying season. An additional 32,000 square kilometres will be captured in Ireland, completing Bluesky’s coverage of the Republic.

“2018 will be a pivotal year for Bluesky as we complete the latest update cycle of our nationwide coverage of aerial photography both in the UK and in the Republic of Ireland,” commented Rachel Tidmarsh, Managing Director of Bluesky International. “As data is captured and processed it will be delivered to clients under existing contracts, made available via WMS feeds to existing users and will be accessible on our website – www.blueskymapshop.com – where visitors can search for, view and download their choice of aerial photography, colour infrared imagery, digital surface models and digital elevation models and much more.”

In addition to the aerial photography, Bluesky will be capturing colour infrared (CIR) data, which provides a valuable tool for studies in vegetation extent and health, and other effects of human activity on the earth and its environment. Highly accurate detailed height models, Digital Terrain Models (DTM) and Digital Surface Models (DSM), will also be created at 5 metre and 2 metre resolutions respectively.

Bluesky is the leading supplier of aerial survey services and data in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Operating survey aircraft from flying bases at East Midlands Airport, and locations in Ireland, Bluesky captured more than 70,000 square kilometres of data in 2017. Bluesky invests in the latest survey technology and is currently utilising Microsoft Vexcel UltraCam Eagle cameras and a Teledyne Optech Galaxy LiDAR system integrated with a PhaseOne camera and thermal sensor.

CONTACTS:
Laura Eddy, +44 (0) 1530 518518, [email protected]
www.bluesky-world.com