Our planet will soon be surrounded by 500 satellites capable of real-time coverage of human activity and movement around the globe
Microsoft founder Bill Gates is bankrolling a company that plans on launching a $1 billion network of satellites to provide live-streaming coverage of almost “corner” of the earth.
EarthNow plans on launching 500 plus satellites into our atmosphere, providing its users with near instantaneous video feedback with only one second of delay.
While this may sound like something from a futuristic sci-fi movie, it is very much a real thing.
All a customer of the surveillance network would have to do is flip on their smart phone or tablet to get instant, live access to what’s going on in any part of the world.
Users can watch the weather, detect forest fires the moment they start, watch volcanoes the instant they start to erupt and track the migration of large whales, the company boasts.
While that all sounds benevolent enough, users can also
“observe conflict zones and respond immediately when crises arise, assist the media in telling stories from around the world, catch illegal fishing ships in the act, and instantly create “living” 3D models of a town or city, even in remote locations.”
The obvious big question is who are the “users” of this technology. According to Wikipedia, the company expects its initial customers to include “governments and large enterprises.”
EarthNow founder Russel Hannigan says his company’s simple objective is to “connect people visually with the Earth in real time.”
Not only is Gates backing the project, but so too are tech giants Softbank, Airbus and Greg Wyler.
The company expects a billion in funding but won’t disclose the value of what’s been contributed. Hannigan said the funding would cover the planning stage of the product.
EarthNow isn’t the only one receiving money for out-of-this-world technologies. Since 2017, $2.9 billion has been allocated from 67 equity funds to further advance our exploration of space.
#1 by Rick on June 3, 2020 - 12:37 am
I like the idea of being able to see in real time but can you imagine the can of worms it may open up.. Like Why the hell is my machine stopped? He should be working.. Or who’s car is that in my driveway while I’m at work? Who is visiting my wife? hahaha.. No more high speed chases because they can watch you drive home and nail you later.. If there is a plane or boat missing they could get thousands of people to look for it at the same time.. There are both good and bad things that will come from this but one thing for sure it’s going to be interesting.