MicaSense multispectral and thermal payloads
Advanced remote sensing payloads for agriculture, research, and environmental analysis
MicaSense payloads are specialized aerial imaging systems designed to deliver quantitative, analysis-ready data rather than visual imagery alone. The MicaSense RedEdge-P and Altum-PT represent two cornerstone solutions within this category, addressing different levels of analytical complexity while sharing a common foundation of calibrated spectral accuracy.
These payloads are widely adopted by agronomists, researchers, and environmental professionals who rely on consistent spectral measurements, repeatable datasets, and scientifically defensible results.
Core system design focused on measurement accuracy
Both RedEdge-P and Altum-PT are engineered as fully integrated sensing systems. Each payload synchronizes multiple global-shutter sensors and applies factory calibration to ensure that every image supports quantitative analysis.
System-level design benefits include:
- Calibrated multispectral sensors for reflectance-based workflows
- Global shutter capture to preserve geometric accuracy
- Synchronized sensor triggering for aligned datasets
- Compact, lightweight construction for UAV integration
This design philosophy minimizes variability and supports reliable long-term monitoring.
RedEdge-P: efficient multispectral mapping at high resolution
The RedEdge-P is designed for operators who need high spatial resolution multispectral data with efficient coverage.
Key technical characteristics include:
- Five spectral bands optimized for vegetation analysis
- Dedicated panchromatic sensor for pan-sharpened outputs
- 2.4 MP multispectral resolution and 5.1 MP panchromatic resolution
- Approximate 7.7 cm multispectral GSD at 120 m altitude
- Capture rates up to 3 images per second
These characteristics support detailed crop assessment, research plots, and large-area agricultural surveys.
Altum-PT: combining spectral and thermal insight
Altum-PT expands analytical capability by combining multispectral imaging with radiometric thermal sensing in one payload.
System highlights include:
- Five multispectral bands aligned with common vegetation indices
- Radiometric thermal sensor with 320 × 256 resolution
- Panchromatic sensor for spatial detail enhancement
- Multispectral GSD around 5.2 cm at 120 m altitude
- Thermal GSD around 40 cm at 120 m altitude
This combination allows operators to analyze both vegetation condition and temperature-driven stress factors simultaneously.
Thermal data for deeper agricultural analysis
Thermal measurements from Altum-PT enable insight into plant physiology and water dynamics that cannot be derived from multispectral data alone.
Supported analyses include:
- Crop water stress detection
- Evapotranspiration assessment
- Irrigation system evaluation
- Identification of moisture variability across fields
By collecting thermal and multispectral data in the same flight, Altum-PT reduces operational overhead while increasing analytical depth.
Data processing and analytical workflows
MicaSense payloads are designed to integrate into professional remote sensing workflows. Calibrated outputs support vegetation index computation, reflectance mapping, and temporal analysis across growing seasons.
Synchronized sensor capture and consistent calibration simplify data processing and reduce the need for extensive correction during analysis.
Application areas
MicaSense payloads are commonly deployed in:
- Precision agriculture and crop monitoring
- Agronomic research and field trials
- Forestry and ecosystem analysis
- Environmental monitoring and land use studies
- Water stress and irrigation management
A dependable sensing platform for analytical UAV programs
The MicaSense RedEdge-P and Altum-PT are built for organizations that require defensible data, not just imagery. Their value lies in spectral accuracy, sensor synchronization, and consistent performance across missions.
Dronefly supports professional and research teams with technical expertise and workflow guidance, helping ensure MicaSense payloads are deployed effectively and integrated into analytical programs.
Explore MicaSense multispectral and thermal payloads at Dronefly and build a UAV sensing workflow focused on data quality and insight.
