‘Flying thermometer’ helps Leeds prioritise building retrofits

New aerial thermal imaging technology has been used for the first time in the UK in Leeds to map the level of heat loss from individual buildings.

During a test flight, a specially equipped aircraft mounted with an advanced thermal imaging camera flew over Leeds to gather data.

According to Satellite Vu, its technology offers an “unprecedented level of detail and scale”, allowing local authorities to more effectively target funding for retrofitting homes.

Founded in 2016, Satellite Vu is aiming to be “the Earth’s thermometer from space”.

The company is launching a satellite constellation which it says is capable of measuring the thermal emissions of buildings in near real-time wi...