Aircraft based infrared mapping system for earth based resources

An aircraft based infrared imaging system comprising:

• an infrared sensor mounted in said aircraft in a known orientation;
• means for acquiring and storing signals generated by said sensor from a scanned area;
• a global positioning receiver for georeferencing said acquired signals;
• and
• means for compensating said images for tilt in said acquired signals, said means for compensating for tilt in said acquired signals including:
• a gyroscope,
• a magnetometer,
• means for controlling said gyroscope to produce signals indicative of the orientation of the aircraft and
• an image processor for compensating said images for aircraft position or orientation.

An aircraft based imaging system comprising:

• a sensor mounted in said aircraft in a known orientation;
• means for acquiring signals generated by said sensor from a scanned area;
• means for georeferencing said acquired signals;
• means for compensating for tilt in said acquired signals;
• and
• post processing software for creating a mosaic of images generated by said sensor.

An aircraft based infrared imaging system comprising:

• an infrared sensor mounted in said aircraft in a known orientation;
• means for acquiring and storing signals generated by said sensor from a scanned area;
• a global positioning receiver for georeferencing said acquired signals;
• means for compensating for tilt in said acquired signals, said means for compensating for tilt in said acquired signals including a gyroscope, a magnetometer, means for controlling said gyroscope to produce signals indicative of the orientation of the aircraft and an image processor for compensating for aircraft position or orientation;
• and
• post processing software for creating a mosaic of images generated by said sensor.

An aircraft based imaging system comprising:

• a sensor mounted in said aircraft in a known orientation;
• means for acquiring signals generated by said sensor from a scanned area;
• means for georeferencing said acquired signals;
• and
• software for compensating for orientation in said acquired signals.