A Satellite Startup Aims to Take a 50 Terapixel Image of Earth Every Single Day
That’s equivalent to 50 million megapixels.
San Francisco-based satellite startup Planet already employs a fleet of 60 small “Cubesat” satellites to capture supremely high-res shots of Earth, but the company is doubling-up its current convoy — and some — by launching 88 more of its Dove Cubesats with a single goal in mind: capturing a 50 terapixel image of the entire planet each and every day. Should the Doves successfully enter orbit, the images — which equal 50 million megapixels or 50 trillion pixels — would be the first daily shots to cover every inch of the planet. Best of all, though, is the fact that Planet can zoom in even further on its 50 terapixel imagery should it notice something of note in any remote region on Earth: earlier this month, the startup acquired Google’s seven Terra Bella satellites, which offer even higher resolutions than the Doves.
Ultimately, the satellite imagery should go a long way toward helping people the world over better understand the planet we inhabit.
