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
Matthew Husted
The Price of Neglect: Assessing the Consequences of Underfunding Earth Measurement
As the US Geodesy Crisis deepens, the 'invisible threads' of our global infrastructure are beginning to unravel. With the recent cancellation of the Space Force’s Resilient GPS (R-GPS) program, the Geodetic Doomsday Clock has ticked closer to a systemic midnight, threatening the Terrestrial Reference Frame (TRF) and the core PNT infrastructure we rely on daily. This comprehensive analysis pulls back the curtain on the catastrophic technical and economic consequences of neglecting Earth measurement—from power grid instability to the failure of autonomous navigation. Discover why maintaining this 'unseen pillar' is no longer a scientific luxury, but a prerequisite for national security and global economic stability in an increasingly restless 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.