is suggested that ~200 laser altimetry sensor may be required to
fulfil the demand. At current growth rates, this base will not be
fully installed until 2005.
Such analysis is an important factor for any forward-looking
estimate of the impact of airborne laser altimetry on the
commercial remote sensing industry. It provides a view of what
the competitive sector will look like for survey companies
offering laser altimetry services, especially if further reductions
in the barriers to entry are considered. It can also provide a
basis for future production capacity planning.
5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author would like to acknowledge the following people for
providing historical data and projections as well as related
information, insight and suggestions: Dan Cotter (TerraPoint),
Stephen DeLoach (EarthData), Robert Eadie (EagleScan),
Robert Fowler (LaserMap Image Plus), Peter Fricker (LH-
Systems), Nigel Gardner (Laser Mapping Specialists),
Christoph Hug (GeoLas), Ron Roth (Azimuth), Hakan Sterner
(TopEye), Stewart Walker (LH-Systems).
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