Beyond the Pixels:
The Technology Behind Current Aerial and Satellite Imagery

This aerial image depicts "The Woodlands" area just North of Houston, Texas. It was captured using a Leica ADS80 camera in April 2012.

No matter what professional industry you may be in, current aerial imagery and satellite imagery will equip both you and your clients with the necessary tools to perfect any sort of project or display.

But what specific, up-to-date technology makes it possible?

Let’s start with the technology behind our current satellite imagery. At Landiscor, we offer satellite imagery exclusively via DigitalGlobe’s Quickbird, WorldView-1, and Worldview-2 constellations. Each one of these satellites produces a different form of image capture, perfect for any professional geographic need you may have: the Quickbird offers a 2 ft Natural Color image; the WorldView-1, panchromatic pixel resolution; and the WorldView-2, a 1.6ft Natural Color image. A huge benefit of this technology is the relative speed of image capture. DigitalGlobe has the ability to task each of their satellites in order to quickly collect any area a customer needs. Although each satellite has distinct capabilities, all three independently produce accurate, high resolution imagery capable of displaying any location in the world.

Similar to satellite imagery, Landiscor’s collection of current aerial imagery is designed to provide you with an accurate and comprehensive view of specific geographic regions. Aerial imagery ultimately differs from satellite imagery in that a plane is used as the vehicle for image capture. For example, Landiscor’s 2011 Seattle, 2011 Phoenix, 2012 Houston, and 2012 Las Vegas were all collected using an Aero Commander 80 aircraft equipped with a Leica ADS80 camera. The result is high resolution aerial imagery that works perfectly with any number of detailed software applications: from our PhotoMapper desktop software to our LanDiscover online subscription. One of the many benefits of aerial imagery is the precise detail that can be achieved through the use of the technology – an aspect that appeals to professionals for any number of reasons. For instance, due to the 1.6ft/pixel government restriction on commercially used satellite imagery, professionals turn to aerial technology in order to gain access to higher resolution images.

From the satellite constellations continuously orbiting high above the earth to the aerial imaging technology that provides high resolution geospatial images, Landiscor strives to offer the highest quality imagery that will best serve your business. To learn more about current satellite and aerial imagery, visit our website at www.landiscor.com.