Best for
Land planning, construction sites, mines, quarries, farms, stockpiles, infrastructure corridors, and development projects.
Drone mapping
Aerial data that turns land, stockpiles, and sites into working intelligence.
Aerial Galaxy captures and processes drone data into orthomosaics, surface models, terrain products, contours, 3D models, and measurement-ready files for planning, operations, reporting, and technical review.
Use case
Fast, high-resolution site intelligence for teams that need more than photos.
Drone mapping gives project teams a current, measurable view of land, infrastructure, stockpiles, construction areas, and operating sites. Instead of relying on scattered ground photos or outdated drawings, decision-makers receive a coherent aerial dataset that can be reviewed, measured, shared, and archived.
Typical applications include site planning, earthworks visibility, mine and quarry reporting, stockpile monitoring, farm and land assessment, infrastructure corridors, solar sites, property development, and public-sector project documentation.
Quick answer
What is drone mapping?
Drone mapping captures overlapping aerial images and processes them into measurable outputs such as orthomosaics, terrain models, contours, point clouds, 3D models, and stockpile volume summaries. It helps teams see, measure, document, and compare sites more efficiently.
Typical outputs
Orthomosaic, GeoTIFF, DSM, DTM, contours, point cloud, screenshots, CSV summaries, and cloud handover links.
Accuracy note
Planning-grade and survey-grade outputs require different workflows. Ground control and validation are agreed when precision matters.
Expected deliverables
Mapping outputs matched to the decision you need to make.
Orthomosaic
High-resolution, top-down map image suitable for visual review, markup, comparison, and GIS reference.
DSM, DTM, and contours
Surface and terrain products that support elevation understanding, planning conversations, and technical review.
Point cloud and 3D model
Processed spatial data for teams that need to inspect shape, height, terrain, structures, or stockpile geometry.
Measurements and summaries
Areas, lengths, approximate volumes, cut/fill support, CSV summaries, screenshots, and cloud delivery links where required.
Commercial value
Replace guesswork with a current aerial dataset.
Mapping reduces the cost of blind decisions. It helps teams understand site conditions, document quantities, identify constraints, brief consultants, support procurement, monitor stockpiles, and communicate progress using a shared visual reference.
- Improves planning visibility before mobilisation or major site decisions
- Supports quantity conversations for stockpiles, earthworks, and site areas
- Creates GIS-ready evidence for reporting, design input, and stakeholder review
- Reduces repeated site walks by delivering a shareable aerial source of truth
Primary output
Orthomosaic and map files
Optional layers
DSM, DTM, contours, point cloud
Common uses
Planning, volumes, reporting, GIS
Delivery
GeoTIFF, PDF, CSV, JPG, cloud link
Technical considerations
The right output depends on accuracy, control, and file use.
Accuracy level
Planning-grade, operational-grade, and survey-grade expectations require different workflows. Ground control and validation should be agreed where precision matters.
Coordinate system
GIS and consultant workflows may require specific projections, coordinate references, file formats, or naming conventions.
Site conditions
Vegetation, reflective roofs, water, steep terrain, dust, shadows, and active operations can affect capture quality and processing confidence.
Regulatory and access route
Drone operations require safe access, client or landowner permission, suitable weather, and review of relevant airspace or CAAZ considerations before mobilisation.
Questions clients ask
Drone mapping FAQs.
What is an orthomosaic?
An orthomosaic is a corrected, top-down map image created from many overlapping drone photos. It can be used for site review, measurement conversations, markups, and GIS reference.
Can drones calculate stockpile volumes?
Yes. Drone mapping can support stockpile volume calculations by generating 3D surface data and comparing pile geometry against a chosen base surface or reference method.
Do I need ground control points for drone mapping?
Ground control points are recommended when accurate coordinates, repeatable measurements, or survey-grade expectations matter. For visual planning, a lighter workflow may be enough.
What files can Aerial Galaxy deliver from a mapping project?
Depending on scope, outputs can include orthomosaics, GeoTIFF files, DSM, DTM, contours, point clouds, 3D models, CSV summaries, screenshots, PDFs, and cloud links.
Enquiry
Scope the map before the drone leaves the ground.
Send the location, approximate area in hectares, required outputs, accuracy expectations, preferred file formats, and intended use. Aerial Galaxy will respond with a recommended capture approach, assumptions, timeline, and commercial estimate.