Digital Globe launches new satellite

[Airbozo]

Ok, had to share since this is one of our big customers and a place I travel to at least once a year for training and maintenance.

Digital Globe is launching a new satellite today that will be the most powerful non-military satellite in the sky. Digital Globe provides images for Google and other map companies and also provide images for anyone with the budget.

http://www.digitalglobe.com/worldview-1_launch.html

The data collected is processed on SGI Origin 2000 and 3000 systems that my company provides and supports.

[danthegeek]

I wonder If they will be able to see me in my underwear? Did I say that out loud?

[Airbozo]

At 1/2 meter resolution I would be careful what I did in my back yard. Well not my backyard since that satellite cannot see through redwood trees. Yet.

[Airbozo]

So this satellite will be taking the images we see on things like Google earth?? How up to date will the photo's be? Like.. days?weeks?months?

It makes you wonder what big brother has up his sleeve, if this is what the civilianworld is putting out :eek:

-J

Yes some of the data collected by this satellite will end up on sites like google maps/earth, and you can also order maps on their website;
www.digitalglobe.com

The age of the maps depends on a lot of things, mainly money. Google has to pay for the maps like everyone else, so it is up to them. It _could_ be as quick as a week (I think that is what I was told), that an image could show up on Google maps.

Yes, face it, if our wonderful Uncle wants to see what you are up to in your own yard, from space, I am _sure_ that they could even tell your mood by the look on your face.

Oh and Jeremy, you got a little coffee on your shirt. Looks like Columbian from here... ;)

[calumc]

you may or may not know this but how much would it cost (on average) to get a pic?

[Airbozo]

The price will vary widely depending on several options. If you order just from their archive, that is the cheapest, but also not up to date. You can order specific areas and request specific processing (some of which I do not understand) and you can even order a "rush" job which is basically an image from the next flyover and priority processing. The best bet would be to check out the website on ordering and make a call or email them. We (MCE) are still waiting for a complimentary image of the south bay area around Sunnyvale/ San Jose to arrive to replace our 15 year old one.