Capture spectral data on every pixel to inspect vegetation, soil, and liquid properties
Hyperspectral sensors capture gigabytes (and sometimes even terabytes) of spectral data. Typically viewed as a three-dimensional hypercube, hyperspectral data represents the entire spectrum of each pixel in a given image. Analysts can use this reflectance profile to:
Collect your own hyperspectral data using drones: get a specialized drone and hyperspectral imager from our portfolio of vetted drone hardware.
Get hyperspectral data, starting now. With the largest drone pilot network in the world, drone-based aerial intelligence is at your fingertips.
Avoid technical and time-intensive hyperspectral data processing by hiring PrecisionHawk's data team to produce maps and models.
New to hyperspectral? Already using hyperspectral data but haven’t tried drones? Here’s how to make the case for a drone-based hyperspectral investment--we identify the four criteria of a strong business case and offer guidance on how to present it, including:
Learn from our experience working with leaders in major industries, government, and Fortune 100 enterprises and present a winning drone-based hyperspectral business case.
Hyperspectral sensors collect data as a series of narrow and contiguous wavelength bands providing a high level of performance in spectral and radiometric accuracy.
The datasets produced by hyperspectral imagers come in the form of a three-dimensional hypercube in which two dimensions represent the spatial information (x,y) and the third dimension representing the spectral information. You can use this detailed spectral information (5-10 nm, up to 200 bands per pixel) to identify subtle differences in vegetation, minerals and other materials.
When you investigate different portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, it’s like looking at the same subject matter under a completely different microscope. How that object interacts with incident light changes based upon the wavelength of energy, or spectral band, recorded.
When selecting a hyperspectral sensor, consider your desired data output and resolution requirements. The more precise your needs, the more spectral and spatial bands you'll require of a hyperspectral sensor. The frame rate of your sensor will impact the speed at which you can capture data, as well.
Headwall's Nano-Hyperspec is purpose-built for drone-based hyperspectral applications. It's light, small, and augmentable with direct-attached GPS and IMU. The sensor is configured in an aberration-corrected concentric layout, using slit line (a.k.a "push-broom") scanning.
The Micro-Hyperspec, by Headwall, is a small hyperspectral sensor. It comes in VNIR, NIR, Ext. VNIR, and SWIR versions, in an all-reflective, concentrical optical layout. Get high spectral and spatial resolution.
Hyperspectral sensors are heavier than visual and multispectral sensors, requiring a drone with greater payload capacity. When deploying hyperspectral, pilots must fly their drones "low and slow." So, you'll want a drone with a large battery capacity--that'll allow you to keep the drone aloft for longer.
We’ve put together a portfolio of drones based on the wide range of hyperspectral missions we’ve flown:
DJI's M600 is one of the largest of their offerings, making it ideal for deploying hyperspectral sensors. Its modular frame makes it easy and quick to set up and deploy. The M600 can handle major payloads, owing to its actively cooled motors and large frame. Since geospatial precision is important when flying hyperspectral sensors, the M600’s A3 self-adaptive flight system is of critical importance: It adjusts flight parameters automatically based on different payloads, and can be upgraded with two additional GNSS and IMU units or a D-RTK GNSS for high geolocation accuracy.
Looking for a turnkey package that'll get you collecting hyperspectral data quickly? We’ve assembled a Ready-to-Fly package, which includes:
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We don’t need to tell you that flying and processing hyperspectral on a drone is more involved than snapping a few landscape photos. Setting up a base station, assuring data quality while in the field, processing point clouds--the hyperspectral data value chain is complex. When accuracy is critical, there’s little margin for error.
PrecisionHawk offers a staff of on-demand hyperspectral drone pilots available for single-day data capture or months-long projects.
Back at HQ, an accredited team of hyperspectral data scientists is available to process hyperspectral data and produce a wide range of maps and models.
If you’d like to fly hyperspectral yourself, but need a little help getting off the ground, our expert pilot team offers 3- and 5-day training courses that teach you everything you need to know about collecting hyperspectral data via drone. Classroom and field training includes hardware, flight planning, safety, airspace, and other flight operations issues.