Corey's OOC
And where were the spiders
Image Source: See that yellow guy? That. Also, E/V Nautilus, through NOAA, except its aboard a space ship. not a boat.
Intent:To create a ship-board system for explorers to scan planets for resources, and other physical qualities from orbit
Development Thread:N/A
Manufacturer: Techno Union
Model: TY-985 PSS Planetary Surveying System
Affiliation:Open Market
Modularity: Software, some hardware (upgrading cameras and scanning gear)
Production: Mass-Produced
Material: Alusteel frame, computer parts, camera parts, scanning systems
Description: The Planetary Surveying System is a module that is specially designed to be placed in and deployed from a smaller vessel, along the size of a personal freighter, or shuttle with ships of similar size to the Niathal in mind. The PSS must be placed where it can be modified into the ships hull, and most times requires automating a panel of the ships primary hull armor to release the main cameras and scanning gear to space. Using this camera, the PSS can take high definition images using a variety of lenses and systems. While high definition photography is the primary focus of this system, it can also be outfitted, with programming and the correct lens to produce high definition Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) images through clouds and even oceans to make comprehensive maps of underwater and features covered by clouds. LiDAR is also able to, when deployed over a long period of time, in a geosync orbit, monitor traffic patterns, population growth and city sprawl as well as weather patterns, differences in surface water flow, tidal changes, wind speed and strength as well as locations of high solar intensity.
Additionally, the system provides a SONAR add-on that will allow for subterranean features to be mapped, including underwater rivers, fossil fuel sources, and potential risk areas for sinkholes. The system, when using the entire suite in conjunction, will also create 3D models and profiles of such features, noting where water, vegetation, and a variety of geological markings. This will provide a variety of uses including mapping agriculture, geology, resource management, forestry, law enforcement, mining, and alternative energy optimization.
Finally, while the PSS system is its own module, it can, and should be used in droid craft and orbiting satellites in order to assist with planetary development and monitoring. While the system does not analyze the data itself, it will provide a large amount of data files that can be used by anyone with the proper education to create files that can be manipulated to display a variety of useful information on a visual scale.
Primary Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lidar
