DLR reports the first camera-flight over the Himalayas

A few days ago, on January 23rd, the Mountain Wave Project (MWP) accomplished a first flight over the Himalayas in one of their Stemme S 10 equipped with a special camera to take high-resolution pictures of the highest mountains and deepest gorges on Earth. The goal is to model 3-D-pictures of remote mountainous regions to better understand climate issues. Glaciers in remote areas which block the mountains’ run off often “explode” causing floods and rock slides in the populated valleys. So far nobody has been able to forecast these disasters.

From an altitude of 6400 metres (21,000 feet) above Khali Gandhaki Valley the multi-spectral images have a resolution of 20 centimetres (8 inches). The extraordinary camera was developed by the scientists from the German Aerospace Center (DLR). To have a look at some of the stunning pictures and to find out more about the ongoing project please click DLR’S website. It’s amazing to follow the progress scientists are making using (motor) gliders!