Some say that space is the only frontier we truly have left. But those who work in earth or ocean science know all too well that there is much yet to be explored on the planet Earth. 

Geographic Informations Systems (GIS) technology has helped the advancement of earth and ocean science in many ways. And along with this technology comes tools that anyone working in the field needs to have. Because without advanced technology, many of the remote areas of our planet would be still unable to be charted or explored.

Regardless of the field of study, if you’re an archaeologist, geographer, geologist, a drone pilot, or even an intrepid explorer, having access to advanced tools not only helps your research, it also can help keep you safe around catastrophe areas, help while you’re out in the field working, or when planning an expedition.

If you work in the fields of ocean or earth science, or if you’re planning on any remote research trip, the following will provide an overview of a few tools that can assist you. 

Weather API

Weather affects everything in our lives. From light rain showers to hurricanes, any weather event can have a significant impact on our work and how we navigate our world. And the best way to keep up with weather events is through the use of a weather API.

With a weather API, you can develop the perfect weather app for accessing weather conditions on a global or local scale. And this information can actually be life-saving if you’re planning a research project in a remote area where inclement weather conditions are prevalent.

For example, if you’re doing GIS mapping, or exploring a region for archaeological or geological purposes, you’re going to want to have access to real-time weather information. Because if you don’t, you could find yourself in a dangerous situation.

Satellite Communications 

Chances are, if you’re going to be working in a remote region, you may not have access to any cell towers whatsoever. And though today’s 5G network covers much more area than in recent years, it’s still not quite advanced enough to reach into all corners of the globe.

So what do you do when you need to have communication with a base camp or in the case of an emergency? The answer is to have satellite communication at your side.

Satellite phones, or Sat phones as they’re often called, have the ability to pick up satellite signals and relay communications around the globe. This means that even if you’re in the middle of the Pacific ocean, you’ll be able to call for help or communicate with colleagues around the world if necessary.

A few other advantages of having a satellite phone are as follows: 

• Contact colleagues from remote locations 
• Contact family while traveling
• Contact authorities during an emergency 
• Transmit your location 

Though satellite communications have been around for some time, they’ve become much more robust and user-friendly. In fact, today’s satellite phones look a lot like cell phones. And research suggests that within the next decade these devices will be capable of accessing Internet data as well. 

Portable Solar Panels

It should go without saying that all of your gear needs to be powered. And unless you want to carry around a ton of batteries, having portable solar gear can be a lifesaver. 

Portable solar panels can be used to power all types of devices. And many of these come with an array of connection equipment that can be used to connect to just about any device. Whether this is a laptop, a cell phone, or GPS equipment, all of your gear needs to maintain power otherwise it’s basically useless junk. 

For example, even RV enthusiasts can benefit from the use of portable solar power generators. As conventional gas-powered generators are often too large and heavy (and they require gasoline), these are simply too inconvenient on longer trips in remote areas to bring along. 

But for most explorers and researchers, lightweight solar panels can be one of the best gadgets to bring along, as many of these can be stowed easily in a backpack or rucksack. 

Our world has advanced exponentially just within the last 40 years. And if history is any teacher, the pace of our technological advancement will continue to quicken as we enter the middle of the 21st Century. So if you work in a field that depends on advanced tech to get you where you need to be and keep you safe, it’s a wise decision to familiarize yourself and enjoy the benefits.