Commentary

Top Photonics News: Remote Sensing--August 16, 2013

Aug. 16, 2013

There is a lot happening in remote sensing from the skies and close to home. Here are some recent stories in the news that capture the range of interests in this dynamic field that relies on optics, lasers, and detectors:

1. Lots more satellites are smaller and closer to you.
Microsatellites: What big eyes they have (NY Times)

2. And many satellites are working for the common good.
SkyTruth, the environment and the satellite revolution (Washington Post)

3. Some satellites are revealing disturbing trends.
Laser system tracks iceberg evolution and ocean temperature (MIT Technology Review)

4. On and under the ground, remote sensing taps natural resources.
Sound-sensing fiber optics improve fracking (Laser Focus World)

5. Robots need to "see" and understand their environment to work efficiently and safely, and that requires sensing and information processing systems.
Robots need vision (Laser Focus World)

About the Author

Conard Holton | Editor at Large

Conard Holton has 25 years of science and technology editing and writing experience. He was formerly a staff member and consultant for government agencies such as the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the International Atomic Energy Agency, and engineering companies such as Bechtel. He joined Laser Focus World in 1997 as senior editor, becoming editor in chief of WDM Solutions, which he founded in 1999. In 2003 he joined Vision Systems Design as editor in chief, while continuing as contributing editor at Laser Focus World. Conard became editor in chief of Laser Focus World in August 2011, a role in which he served through August 2018. He then served as Editor at Large for Laser Focus World and Co-Chair of the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar from August 2018 through January 2022. He received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, with additional studies at the Colorado School of Mines and Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.