DigitalGlobe's new satellite, WorldView-3, which is slated to launch in August, will be able to capture images of objects that are just 1 ft. in size while in orbit. The new gizmo was shown off at a facility in Boulder, Colo., on Tuesday
A commercial satellite company is performing final tests on its new high-resolution imaging satellite in advance of an August launch date, officials said Tuesday.
DigitalGlobe and satellite builder Ball Aerospace Corp. displayed WorldView-3 at a facility in Boulder, Colo., on Tuesday, the Associated Press reports. The satellite will launch sometime on Aug. 13 or 14 aboard the Atlas 5 rocket at the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
From its location 383 miles above earth, the new satellite will be able to capture images of objects as small as 1 ft. across, although government regulations do not allow the company to sell footage with resolution finer than approximately 20 in.
Walter Scott, the founder and chief technical officer of the company, said DigitalGlobe can offer a 16-in. resolution and is hoping to get federal approval to sell those images.
DigitalGlobe, which provides images for both private clients and government agencies, has five satellites currently in orbit.