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COMMERCIAL EARTH OBSERVATION SATELLITES 
Lawrence W. Fritz 
Senior Staff Scientist 
Lockheed Martin Corporation 
Rockville, MD, United States of America 
ISPRS Commission IV 
KEY WORDS: Commercial Satellites, Near-Real-time Information, Digital Imagery, Acquisition, Future, 
Information, Resolution, Sensor 
ABSTRACT: 
In the summer of 1996, the first of several commercially owned and operated, very high resolution, digital Earth 
observing satellite systems will be launched into polar orbit. This event initiates a new era of commercial Earth 
observation satellites which may well revolutionize the infrastructure, processes and products of the entire 
photogrammetric/remote sensing/GIS community. Currently several companies in the USA; EarthWatch, Space 
Imaging, Orbital Sciences, GDE and Resource 21 have imaging satellites under development and are establishing 
international strategic partnerships for reception, value-added processing, distribution and sales. In aggregate, 
these and other proposed electro-optical systems will produce digital panchromatic images with spatial resolutions 
of one to three meters and from four to fifteen meters in the multispectral bands. These digital systems are 
highlighted by their flexible pointing ability, high geometric fidelity and very rapid image-collection to customer- 
delivery. A summary of the operational capabilities, technical characteristics and some relevant issues are 
discussed for six different commercial sensor systems. In addition a commentary and prognostication of the 
impact on the photogrammetric/remote sensing/GIS community are offered including on market projections. 
INTRODUCTION Traditionally, Earth observation satellites have been 
categorized into three types: Reconnaissance, 
Meteorological, and Earth Resources. A fourth type, 
We are about to witness a revolution which may Commercial satellites, will soon be launched. Over 
forever change the direction of our profession! After ^ the next ten years, 1996-2005, there are known plans 
35 years of government domination of Earth for the launch of more than 100 Earth observation 
observation satellite systems the private sector has satellites of all types, plus several Cosmos satellites per 
decided to take the initiative. year. Sixty Earth observation satellites are scheduled 
for launch before the end of 1999 and this number is 
As you may recall, ever since the first artificial ^ expected to increase. 
satellite has been placed in Earth orbit there have 
been three most promising areas for space One may ask, why after so many years are Earth 
commercialization -- communications, remote sensing, ^ observation satellite systems suddenly becoming a 
and materials processing. The commercial satellite =~ competitive arena for commercial opportunities? 
Communications industry was spawned from There are many reasons, the foremost of which is the 
government operations in the early 1960's and has end of the Cold War. With the downsizing of major 
prospered ever since. Materials Processing in space is — defense programs there is an emergence of what is 
still in experimental stages and has yet to mature into — termed "dual-use" technology. That is, a use of 
a viable commercial activity. And as you will read previously proven defense technology applied to civil 
below, Remote Sensing from satellites is just passing — applications. The sales of imagery produced by former 
the threshold into maturity as a commercial space — Russian reconnaissance systems is a prime example. 
activity. A review of existing Earth observation — Another reason for commercialization is the 
satellites will not be given herein. Suffice it to say — unfortunate failure to orbit Landsat 6, and the end of 
that all existing Earth observing systems have been useful operability of Landsat 4. Landsat and SPOT 
designed and developed with government funding for ^ have received US and French government support but 
government programs, including the quasi-commercial ^ have not achieved the commercial successes for which 
Systems such as Landsat, SPOT, IRS-C and Resurs-F. many had hoped. Market projections by commercial 
273 
International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXI, Part B4. Vienna 1996