Google buys GeoEye satellite images to provide high-definition geographic photos

Google has signed an agreement with GeoEye, under which GeoEye will provide satellite images to Google.

According to Mark Brender, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Marketing at GeoEye, as per the agreement, Google will be the exclusive website to use GeoEye's satellite images.

Google uses satellite imagery in both its Maps and Earth services.

It is reported that in 6 days, GeoEye will launch a satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, which will be used for Google services. The rocket shell will feature the Google logo.

The GeoEye-1 satellite will operate in an Earth orbit at 423 kilometers and can capture images with a resolution of 41 centimeters. However, according to the agreement between GeoEye and the U.S. government, Google can only use image data with a resolution of 50 centimeters.

This satellite can collect images covering an area equivalent to the size of New Mexico every day.

Google spokesperson Kate Hurowitz said: "GeoEye-1 will provide the highest commercially available ground resolution color imagery, offering very precise geolocation. Most commercial satellites have a resolution of 60 centimeters, GeoEye-1 will help us achieve our goal of providing the world with the highest possible clarity images."

ITT was responsible for building the imaging subsystem of this satellite, while General Dynamics was the main contractor for the satellite. GeoEye also signed an agreement with ITT, under which ITT will develop the imaging system for the GeoEye-2 satellite, which is scheduled to launch in 2011 or 2012. ITT stated that the GeoEye-2 satellite will have an image clarity of 25 centimeters.

Currently, each pixel in Google Earth can display an image content of 15 square meters, allowing users to clearly see large-scale landforms.

Source: CNET