DarkCarb: An Innovative Approach to Infrared Imaging

DarkCarb is a pioneering Earth observation (EO) satellite, under development at SSTL, designed to acquire high resolution Mid Wave Infrared (MWIR) imagery and video from low Earth orbit. The mission will set a precedent in IR performance from a small and capable satellite platform while maintaining the SSTL cost effective approach thereby enabling a spacecraft price which makes building constellations, capable of delivering rapid re-visit and wide area coverage, an attractive and worthwhile commercial investment. The DarkCarb satellite features an innovative low mass and volume MWIR imager which, when combined with the implementation of novel image enhancement algorithms, will achieve high quality 3.5m GSD imagery. The instrument is assembled using COTS devices and components fabricated using standard industry processes, optimised for production and rapid delivery of multiple instruments to meet constellation needs. The high spatial resolution DarkCarb MWIR imagery will deliver provides several key and complementary differentiators to visible imagery and therefore has the potential to become a high value data product for the EO market. MWIR imagery provides the capability to differentiate between objects and surfaces of different temperature and emissivity. As the detectable signal is only dependent on the temperature of the scene, DarkCarb also has the ability to extend imaging opportunities into the night. The video capability allows information on highly dynamic features in scenes to be provided and will be of key interest for applications relating to human activity. The DarkCarb mission is therefore a highly innovative development which has the potential to seriously disrupt the status quo of the commercial satellite imagery market by providing affordable high quality and high resolution MWIR data which will address a range of applications. With the DarkCarb Imager currently in production this paper will showcase the development to date with initial results from recent airborne flight trials and further explain the details of the unique payload which has been designed to meet the market need for responsive delivery at the right price

BJS commission on surgery and perioperative care post-COVID-19

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic by the WHO on 11 March 2020 and global surgical practice was compromised. This Commission aimed to document and reflect on the changes seen in the surgical environment during the pandemic, by reviewing colleagues experiences and published evidence. Methods: In late 2020, BJS contacted colleagues across the global surgical community and asked them to describe how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) had affected their practice. In addition to this, the Commission undertook a literature review on the impact of COVID-19 on surgery and perioperative care. A thematic analysis was performed to identify the issues most frequently encountered by the correspondents, as well as the solutions and ideas suggested to address them. Results: BJS received communications for this Commission from leading clinicians and academics across a variety of surgical specialties in every inhabited continent. The responses from all over the world provided insights into multiple facets of surgical practice from a governmental level to individual clinical practice and training. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has uncovered a variety of problems in healthcare systems, including negative impacts on surgical practice. Global surgical multidisciplinary teams are working collaboratively to address research questions about the future of surgery in the post-COVID-19 era. The COVID-19 pandemic is severely damaging surgical training. The establishment of a multidisciplinary ethics committee should be encouraged at all surgical oncology centres. Innovative leadership and collaboration is vital in the post-COVID-19 era

BJS commission on surgery and perioperative care post-COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic by the WHO on 11 March 2020 and global surgical practice was compromised. This Commission aimed to document and reflect on the changes seen in the surgical environment during the pandemic, by reviewing colleagues' experiences and published evidence