Commercial Imaging
Startup raises funding to provide high-resolution imagery from balloons
A Colorado startup has raised a seed round of funding to further develop a system that can provide imagery from high-altitude balloons at much higher resolution than satellites.
DoD space agency to create marketplace for commercial satellite data
The Space Development Agency is looking to work with commercial operators of imaging satellites so they can send data directly to U.S. government satellites in orbit.
Pixxel raises seed round for hyperspectral satellites
An Indian startup raised $7.3 million to allow the company to continue work on a constellation of hyperspectral imaging satellites, the first step in its much bigger ambitions.
Satellogic signs multi-launch contract with SpaceX
Earth observation company Satellogic announced Jan. 19 it signed a contract with SpaceX covering several rideshare launches of its satellites through next year.
Satellogic launches 10 satellites to provide high-resolution imagery
With the successful launch of 10 satellites, Earth observation company Satellogic says it can now move ahead of its rivals in providing high-resolution imagery.
Space industry seeks continued progress on regulatory reform
The commercial space industry hopes to continue recent progress in regulatory reform even if there is a new president or a change in party control in Congress after the election.
U.S. government to allow sale of high-resolution commercial satellite images of Israel
The federal government will soon allow U.S. commercial remote sensing companies to sell high-resolution satellite images of Israel, changing resolution limits that have been in place for more than two decades.
Attention shifts to implementation of new commercial remote sensing regulations
As revised commercial remote sensing regulations win widespread approval, the industry is turning its attention to how those new rules will be implemented.
NRO to award multiple imagery contracts by year’s end
By the end of the year, the National Reconnaissance Office plans to issue “multiple operational commercial imagery contracts to support defense, security and many other U.S. government missions,” said Pete Muend, director of NRO’s Commercial Systems Program Office.
Remote sensing industry welcomes revamped regulations
Satellite imaging companies are embracing long-awaited reforms to commercial remote sensing regulations, although one member of Congress doesn’t think the changes go far enough.
Commerce Department releases streamlined commercial remote sensing regulations
The Commerce Department released long-awaited new commercial remote sensing regulations May 19 that eliminate many of the restrictions previously imposed on such systems.
NRO awards imagery subscription contract to Planet
The National Reconnaissance Office awarded a commercial imagery subscription contract to Planet Labs Federal, a subsidiary of Earth observation company Planet.
Commerce Department seeks to increase American space industry’s global competitiveness
The Commerce Department wants to improve the standing of the American space industry in an increasingly competitive global market through a combination of regulatory reform and promotional efforts.
House passes commercial space regulatory bill
The House of Representatives approved legislation April 24 that would reform commercial remote sensing regulation and create a licensing regime for “non-traditional” commercial space activities.
Op-ed | To lead in space, the United States must modernize satellite regulations
The U.S. Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992 is badly in need of updating, as the world has changed dramatically in the last 25 years, and so has the commercial remote sensing industry.
Pentagon list could clear the way for licensing of advanced commercial imaging systems
The Pentagon has finalized a list of exclusion zones for two types of advanced remote sensing technologies that could help end a long-running logjam for licensing of commercial systems using those techniques.
NGA director supports commercial remote sensing regulatory reform
Facing increasing pressure from both industry and Congress, the head of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency said the federal government is taking steps to streamline the licensing process for commercial remote sensing satellites.
Earth-i plans constellation to provide high-definition video imagery in color
Earth-i’s new constellation will allow customers to task the onboard imager to gather still or video imagery of targets of interest, capturing videos of 25 to 30 frames per second.
NOAA cuts target future polar weather satellites
While NOAA received full funding for its ongoing weather satellite programs, the agency is looking at options after a cut to a program for future polar-orbiting weather satellites.
OmniEarth acquired by EagleView, continuing satellite-imagery consolidation wave
OmniEarth, a company that once planned to launch a constellation of Earth imaging satellites and later shifted into analysis of satellite imagery, has been acquired by another data analytics company, EagleView.
