Cloud computing leading to a democratization of satellite mapping

According to a recent Newswise article, cloud computing, in addition to far-sighted data policies, could lead to the democratization of satellite mapping. As a result, more information regarding the Earth will be available to a wider audience through newer platforms.

Matt Hansen, a professor at South Dakota State University, is one of many scientists who have worked with Google to help launch the Google Earth engine. According to Hansen, up until now, analyzing remote sensing data from satellites typically required heavy infrastructure investments in additon to numerous hours of training. However, with satellite images available for free as part of the new policies, and the advent of managed IT systems, these previous requirements are no more.

“Eventually - soon, I expect - they’ll have the entire Landsat archive online at Google," said Hansen. "And they’ll have the cloud computing capability to process all the data. This is an incredible advantage in terms of generating the value-added products that we create for quantifying deforestation, natural hazards, cropland area, urbanization, you name it.”

Hansen, among others at SDSU, has worked with Google to help process more than 50,000 images that reveal a detailed map of Mexico.

In general, cloud computing usage has seen significant growth recently. Osterman Research predicts that companies currently in the cloud will expand their investment by 10 percent during 2011.