Lesson 4 Introduction

Welcome to Lesson 4! In this lesson, you will practice planning and designing a UAS mission. For this lesson, we will focus on imaging sensor (digital cameras), as it is widely used for geospatial projects. Successful execution of any mapping project requires a tremendous amount of planning prior to mission execution. Planning must be done by an experienced person who is familiar with all aspects of mapping. Mission planning includes the following categories:

1. defining products specifications;
2. studying area maps;
3. planning the aerial imagery;
4. planning the ground controls;
5. selecting procedures, personnel, and production instruments;
6. estimating costs;
7. developing a delivery schedule.

Lesson Objectives

At the successful completion of this lesson, you should be able to:

• understand basic requirements for mission planning;
• understand sensor internal geometry;
• describe factors affecting flight plans such as way points, product resolution and accuracy, aircraft speed, etc.;
• practice flight planning for a UAS mission;
• understand calibration requirements for imaging sensors and auxiliary systems.

Lesson Readings

• Chapter 18 of textbook 3: Wolf, et al., Elements of Photogrammetry with Applications in GIS
• Chapter 3 of textbook 3: Wolf, et al., Elements of Photogrammetry with Applications in GIS
• Sections 3-9, 3-10, 3-11, 3-12 of Chapter 3 and section 11-12 of chapter 12 of textbook 3: Wolf, et al., Elements of Photogrammetry with Applications in GIS
• Yastikli, N., et al., "In-Situ Camera and Boresight Calibration With Lidar Data"
• Merchant, D., et al., "USGS/OSU Progress With Digital Camera In Situ Calibration Methods"

Lesson Activities

• Complete the Lesson 4 Quiz.
• Start Pix4D processing for exercise 1 (Wiregrass Gravel Mine, Alabama) using the instructions provided to you in the last section of this lesson "Summary and Final Tasks". Submit your reports in Lesson 6. (5 points)
• Start Pix4D processing for exercise 2 (County Line Road, Dayton, Ohio) using the instructions provided to you in the last section of this lesson "Summary and Final Tasks". Submit your reports in Lesson 8. (8 points)
• Practice the use of "Mission Planner" software using the instructions provided to you in the last section of this lesson "Summary and Final Tasks" to develop a flight plan.
• Develop two flight plans for your project: one by using manual computations and formulas as described in this section, and one by using "Mission Planner" software. Compare the two.
• Participate in the "Human Elements of UAS" Discussion Forum.