mapKITE - EGNOS-GPS/GALILEO-based high-resolution terrestrial-aerial sensing system

mapKITE is a terrestrial-aerial surveying system that combines the advantages of the terrestrial and airborne (manned or unmanned) ones. It responds to corridor mapping market needs only fulfilled by much more expensive separate terrestrial and aerial missions.

The first objective of mapKITE project is to build a mature EGNSS enabled prototype of a novel tandem terrestrial-aerial mapping system based on a terrestrial vehicle (TV) and on an unmanned aircraft (UA), both equipped with remote sensing payloads. The UA will follow the TV at a constant flying height above ground while geodata are acquired simultaneously from the TV and the UA. The final product is high resolution, oriented, calibrated and integrated images of a corridor and its environment.

The second objective is to demonstrate services; i.e., the technical/commercial feasibility of the concept.

The third objective is to develop the market: at the end of the project, contracts or negotiations shall be in place so the prototype can be used in operational conditions. MapKITE targets corridor mapping.