Graz, Austria — March 15, 2011 – Keystone Aerial Surveys, Inc., has contracted with Vexcel Imaging GmbH, a Microsoft® company, to upgrade its UltraCamL camera system to an UltraCamXp.
“The UltraCamL camera performed very well for us, but the larger footprint of the UltraCamXp will be a better fit with our three other UltraCamX cameras,” said Mary Potter, GISP, President of Keystone Aerial Surveys. “As Keystone continues its move toward full digital capability, the UltraCam product line, supported with the excellent service Microsoft provides, is a clear cut choice for us.”
David Day, CP, Director of Information Technology at Keystone, added, “Microsoft’s recent advancements in the UltraMap post-processing software give Keystone confidence that the imagery generated by the UltraCamXp will be of the highest possible geometric and radiometric accuracy.”
The UltraCamXp boasts the largest pan across-flight strip of any digital aerial camera on the market today, thus helping to reduce the number of flight lines, saving time, and lowering cost, without sacrificing radiometric performance.
“Keystone Aerial Surveys has been a long-term customer of Vexcel Imaging,” said Alexander Wiechert, Microsoft Business Director for Vexcel Imaging GmbH. “We’re pleased that the continuous improvement of our hardware and software, combined with responsive customer service, has supported their achievements to date.”
About the UltraCamXp
The UltraCamXp photogrammetric digital aerial camera, released in 2008, provides a pixel size of 6 micrometers and a footprint of 196 megapixels (17,310 across track x 11,310 along track), which is the largest pan footprint across-flight strip available today. The resolution ratio of 1:3 between pan and color bands allows the production of high-resolution pan-sharpened products. The UltraCamXp makes use of the same data flow concept introduced with the UltraCamX and provides even more in-flight storage capacity. The low-cost, exchangeable on-board storage devices hold up to 6,600 images each—approximately 4.2 terabytes of data. The vast storage capability allows for more efficient data collection as a result of uninterrupted image collection and minimal ground time.
About Vexcel Imaging, GmbH
Acquired by Microsoft Corporation in May 2006, Vexcel Imaging GmbH brings more than two decades of photogrammetry expertise to Microsoft’s Bing Maps business unit and is at the heart of the burgeoning Microsoft photogrammetry business. The company’s offerings include the UltraCam series of photogrammetric digital aerial cameras and related software tools such as the UltraMap 2.1 workflow software.
About Keystone Aerial Surveys, Inc.
Keystone Aerial Surveys, Inc., has been providing airborne acquisition services to clients throughout the US, Canada and Mexico for nearly 50 years. The company operates three UltraCamX digital sensors, the recently acquired UltraCamXp digital sensor, and twelve traditional film mapping cameras. Keystone currently operates 15 aircraft that have been modified and equipped specifically for airborne survey operations. Keystone’s web library, www.kasview.com, allows customers to view digital, film and aeromagnetic archives geographically. For more information about the company, go to www.keystoneaerialsurveys.com.