SkyPod GPS logger
My favorite KAP camera for the past few years has been the Canon PowerShot S100. It has an integrated GPS receiver and I routinely had it attach GPS location data to each photo. Recently I have been flying a much better camera, the Canon EOS M, to exploit its bigger sensor and much better lens. But the EOS M does not have GPS. I listed these things you can do with GPS data from KAP flights in a post here.
- Some structure from motion software (makes 3D models from photos) requires that photos have GPS data in the EXIF header.
- Some structure from motion software works faster or scales the final 3D model if GPS data are present in the photos.
- Some orthophoto mapping software can georeference the stitched image if GPS data are present in the photos.
- Mapknitter and Google Earth will automatically place photos if they contain GPS data.
- The track followed by the flying camera can be displayed in three dimensions, possibly with other data collected.
- You can learn how high the camera was.
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These electronic components can be soldered together to make a device which records GPS location and barometric pressure to a microSD card. |
I have not flown the SkyPod on a KAP rig yet (two attempts had inadequate wind), but it has proven itself in lots of terrestrial tests. I am eager to fly it on the next good day. I bought some extra components and made a few kits which can be assembled into SkyPods. These kits require a few hours of soldering, but have everything you need to start collecting GPS location data during kite or balloon photography flights.
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The SkyPod Kit will build this GPS logger shown riding on the shoulder of a Saturn V Rig. |
Stay tuned for reports of the first SkyPod flight. It should be very soon.