GEOSPATIAL FRONTIERS
A Publication by Project Geospatial
LOOKING BEYOND
THE MAP
Geospatial Frontiers, a new publication from Project Geospatial, brings together leading voices and experts from across the geospatial ecosystem to tackle the industry's most pressing challenges. Through in-depth articles and discussions, Geospatial Frontiers aims to explore innovative solutions and spark critical conversations that will shape the future of geospatial technology and its applications.
AUTHORS
Adam Simmons
Keith Barber
Fred Woods
The Unseen Axis: How a Cold War Military Project Became the Invisible Foundation of Your World
Ever wondered how your phone knows you’re at Starbucks and not the cafe next door? Dive into the world of WGS-84, the invisible global grid that powers your GPS. Discover why this Cold War-era system is still the king of coordinates, how it's constantly updated to centimeter-level accuracy, and how it stacks up against alternatives like ITRF and NAD83. Uncover the secret language of location that silently runs our world.
The Silent Sentinels: Charting America's Past and Future, One Brass Disk at a Time
High on a remote mountaintop, you spot a metallic glint set in the bedrock: a weathered brass disk stamped with cryptic words and a perfect triangle. What is this object? It's a geodetic survey marker, a physical anchor from a two-century-long scientific odyssey to measure and map a continent.
This is the story of how a network of brass and sweat, laid down with grueling labor and uncompromising precision, formed the invisible framework of our modern world. Discover the audacious vision of Ferdinand Hassler, the brutal life of a survey party, and the elegant science of triangulation that transformed an unmapped frontier into a tangible nation.
But in an age of GPS, are these markers mere relics? Explore the paradox of why these "silent sentinels" are more critical than ever, anchoring our virtual, satellite-driven age to the solid ground beneath our feet.
The Geodesy Crisis in the United States: A Comprehensive Analysis of its Importance, Workforce Challenges, and Potential Consequences
The United States is facing a looming crisis in its geodesy workforce, threatening the nation's capacity to maintain and advance this essential science. Our research delves into the definition, applications, and history of geodesy in the US, examining the workforce challenges and potential consequences if this crisis remains unaddressed.