Drone Images

Viewing Nova's "Rise of the Drones" perked my interest and caused me to do a little extended research.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or drones come in various shapes and sizes. Although generally controlled by someone on the ground, they can also be operated by on board computers.

The Robobee

The Robobee weighing less than a tenth of a gram and half the size of a paper clip - was designed to help with the declining bee population. These robot bees would be capable of flower pollination, climate mapping, traffic monitoring and surveillance.

The Robobee

The Dragonfly DelFly

(another very small drone) has a vision system consisting of a tiny computer and two cameras. The computer processes the images from those cameras in much the same way humans do, essentially giving it 3D vision. Intended uses include everything from detecting ripe fruit in greenhouses, mapping abandoned buildings to masquerading as fairies at a theme park.

The Dragonfly DelFly

The Predator

 The most recognizable and combat-proven Unmanned Aircraft System is the Predator. It is the first weaponized UAS, features precision air-to-ground weapons delivery capability and is extremely reliable. Its performance is greatly enhanced by its Electro-optical/Infrared video cameras. However, those cameras have a limited field of view and details of key objects can be lost when objects get out of range.

Predator Drone

The Argus-IS

 The Argus-IS (Autonomous Real-Time Ground Ubiquitous Surveillance Imaging System) moves several steps forward. Its highly defined camera - developed by combining 368 imagining chips (like those in a cell phone camera) - results in a 1.8 billion pixel image stream. It can be attached to the belly of an UAV like the Predator resulting in an incredibly detailed view of a large area such as a medium size city. From 17,500 feet up (roughly equal to 3-½ miles), objects as small as 6″ can be seen. On display, it is possible to open a window showing a detailed area while still maintaining the broader context.

Scientists will continue to develop highly refined cameras that can see smaller objects from longer distances with clarity. Regardless of one's opinion of the desirability of this kind of surveillance, it is here and will inevitably be used for good and for bad.

I try to remember that what I see is just part of the picture. There is a broader context to my life and yours. God sees everything - big and small. We are never out of range. His perspective is unique. At the same time, He knows every detail and the whole story - the beginning and the end. His purposes are pure and good. I'm grateful He is in control.

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to who we must give account" (Heb. 4:13, NIV).

Rise of The Drones

Drones. These unmanned flying robots–some as large as jumbo jets, others as small as birds–do things straight out of science fiction. Much of what it takes to get these robotic airplanes to fly, sense, and kill has remained secret. But now, with rare access to drone engineers and those who fly them for the U.S. military, NOVA reveals the amazing technologies that make drones so powerful as we see how a remotely-piloted drone strike looks and feels from inside the command center. From cameras that can capture every detail of an entire city at a glance to swarming robots that can make decisions on their own to giant air frames that can stay aloft for days on end, drones are changing our relationship to war, surveillance, and each other. And it's just the beginning. Discover the cutting edge technologies that are propelling us toward a new chapter in aviation history as NOVA gets ready for "Rise of the Drones."
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/military/rise-of-the-drones.html

About the Author

Stephanie B. Blake is an international Bible teacher, serving the Lord through Xtend Ministries International. To download free Bible studies or devotionals for personal or group study, or to find out more about her ministry and other writing, please visit http://www.onefocusministries.com

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