Mitch's Blog

A new technique uses space-based satellite surveillance to prevent bridge collapses, by detecting defects smaller than the thickness of a dime.

The new technique uses computer modeling and high-resolution satellite images to detect subtle shifts in a bridge’s structure that could indicate that it’s starting to fail. Some of the changes are so tiny that they could be undetectable during traditional visual inspections, the scientists say. The new technique uses computer modeling and high-resolution satellite images to detect subtle shifts in a bridge’s structure that could indicate that it’s starting to fail. Some of the changes are so tiny that they could be undetectable during traditional visual inspections, the scientists say.