Geospatial core facility: drone, lidar, and GIS mapping and analysis
A university-wide Montana State University resource providing UAV and LiDAR-based mapping, high-precision GNSS/GPS surveying, and geospatial analysis for research, government, and industry partners.
Overview
The Geospatial Core Facility (GCF) at Montana State University is a university-wide resource providing advanced geospatial technologies, data analysis, and expertise for interdisciplinary research. It serves as a collaborative hub bringing together MSU researchers, government agencies, and industry partners, and works with both internal and external clients on their geospatial needs.
Available services
- UAV/drone-based high-resolution aerial mapping and photogrammetry
- LiDAR, hyperspectral, thermal, and orthoimagery data collection
- Structure from Motion (SfM) mapping
- High-precision GNSS/GPS mapping with sub-meter to centimeter accuracy
- Remote sensing and image analysis
- Advanced geospatial analysis, including spatial modeling and terrain analysis
- Custom data visualization and cartography
Equipment & instruments
- DJI Phantom 4 RTK drone for high-resolution mapping and photogrammetry
- Green Valley LiAIR V70 LiDAR system (905 nm wavelength, 240,000 points/second, 2 cm vertical accuracy)
Access & engagement
Staff-run, fee-for-service model. Serves internal MSU-system clients as well as external government and industry partners; see the facility's services and rates schedule.
About Montana State University
Montana State University's substantial research enterprise growth has been accompanied by focused investments in innovation and research translation, creating new opportunities for companies to engage with MSU research and expertise. A particular strength is MSU’s network of specialized centers, institutes, and industry-accessible core facilities, which bring together multidisciplinary expertise, advanced research infrastructure, testing capabilities, and established pathways for working with industry partners. MSU is one of a select group of universities participating in the NSF's Accelerating Research Translation (ART) program, which is building the capacity and infrastructure needed to translate more research discoveries into solutions with real-world impact. The growing MSU Innovation Campus and expanding incubator infrastructure provide additional opportunities for university-industry interaction, startup development, and technology-focused companies. These efforts are complemented by MSU’s Technology Transfer Office, which works with researchers and companies to protect and license MSU inventions and facilitate industry-sponsored research collaborations.
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