Acquisition: Explore the different kinds of imagery and how data scientists are using it to extract critical information about our changing planet.[/caption]
Satellite imagery comes in many forms. Object identification and consumer applications often rely on the highest spatial resolution imagery available. DigitalGlobe is able to deliver 30 cm resolution imagery - the highest resolution available from a commercial satellite. At that resolution you can not only count cars from space - but identify direction of travel and vehicle type. Just as with resolution, positional accuracy is critical for applications such as autonomous vehicles, asset tracking and monitoring, and object identification. DigitalGlobe’s industry leading accuracy is able to pinpoint the location of its imagery to within less than 5 m of its known location on earth. Balancing these unique capabilities with frequent revisit and looking beyond the visible light spectrum, opens a world of opportunity.
These advances in satellite imagery have enabled critical change detection applications for everything from environmental and population shifts to illegal structure identification and military mobilization. Frequency of collection keeps our navigational apps up to date. Elevation data (3D models) and building footprints provide crucial information for regulated industries, map-based consumer services, and global development organizations. Benefits of these advances transcend almost all industries.
It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, a picture is worth a thousand words. A single satellite image contains vast amounts of information that can be used for various purposes. We refer to this information as geospatial big data, and geospatial big data is what transforms satellite imagery into actionable location intelligence . Even if you haven’t heard of location intelligence, it’s likely you’re already using it.
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Temporal Resolution: How do we analyze change over time? Temporal resolution classifies the currency of an image and the frequency of collection.[/caption]
But not all commercial satellite imagery is equal. Different spatial, spectral, and temporal resolutions provide different types of information. From acquisition to analysis, we’ve developed a foundational video series to help you understand these differences and get a better idea of what your potential applications may require.
So, if you’re curious about how we capture satellite imagery to extract location intelligence - or how your company could benefit - check out our Earth Imaging Basics video series.