Which could be the space uses of our CanSat?

 In space, our CanSat could orbit over The Earth taking images with two cameras in order to make a 3D map, showing the landscape of The Earth. The 3D map of the Earth surface is the last step of google to extend our knowledge of our planet.

3D Overview of Denver  for Google Earth

Another use to our project would be to make a 3D map of the zone of the Moon were the rockets lands, by the use of two cameras located on the sides of the rocket. This is similar to the CanSat Competition, because the two cameras will be also placed on a Rocket. Here we can see some images of the lunar landscape.



 Image of the Moon's surface taken in 2009 by Lucian Curelaru



Another image of the lunar landscape.

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What is our CanSat going to do?

The principal function that any CanSat has to realize is to take information of pressure and temperature. Every team must develop a secondary function in its CanSat. In our case, the CanSat is going to open two arms with two cameras to take images of the zone where it lands. Once these images are taken, we are going to treat them to make a 3D map.

Due to the fact that last year the rocket in which the CanSat was thrown crashed in a mountain, and they couldn't recover it, this year we are going to place a buzzer that will be sounding since we put the CanSat in the rocket until we recover it, in order not to lose it. In addition, we will add an accelerometer. If it is possible, we will also add a sensor of magnetic field in order to know the orientation of the CanSat all the time.

The increasing importance of 3D mapping

Apple, the technology monster, has recently bought C3 technologies. As usually, this means Apple would 'reinvent' mapping development in a near future. But what is likely to be renewed with C3 Technologies?

C3 Technologies are well known for their Rapid 3D Mapping. SAAB made an explanatory video showing how their techonology works:

What really makes this system different is the short time needed to scan a terrain, process data and build a map. This company has managed to take advantage of the speed of a plane's flight making a capturing system that allows a map to be fully created in a short period of time. Although easiness is highly important, precision and realism are what users consume. We assume this is why Apple has made their decision to acquire C3 Technologies.



Google Maps also added some weeks ago a new view to their door-to-door navigation previews, called 'the helicopter view'. It shows a programmed route as if you were in a helicopter. However, the definition of the view bears out the possibility that Google did not take the definitive step on this view.

The fact that two Internet giants are taking into account 3D mapping suggest a new battlefield between leading technology companies.


Via Google Maps Official blog
Via 9 to 5 Mac