Space-based imaging has had its place for many years in several niche industries - primarily those who could afford it, and those who needed the wide-area coverage and were forward-thinking enough to invest in the technology. Under the category of those who could afford it, the U.S. Department of Defense has had an especially keen interest over the years in advancing the technology to image the Earth's surface from space-based platforms. Only recently has the classified technology developed by defense contractors for high-resolution imaging from space become available for commercial usage.
      While new business ventures such as Space Imaging Inc., Earthwatch, and Eyeglass Imaging are commercializing high-resolution satellite imaging technology, many industry observers are watching for the response from the marketplace. As an interested observer and potential end-user of this new information source, I am curious about the receptivity that will be afforded to these new companies as they begin to market their products. Will it open up new opportunities to us practitioners of geographic information systems (GIS) and related technologies? How might this new data source supplement or even replace traditional sources of geographic data such as aerial photography?
      Earthwatch plans to launch a satellite next year which will be capable of acquiring 3-meter resolution imagery and in 1997 they plan to launch a 1-meter resolution sensor. Space Imaging and Eyeglass Imaging have similar plans. Perhaps now remotely sensed data will become available to many businesses, municipalities, and small government agencies who previously could not afford it (or did not want to spend the money for a data source that only marginally meets their needs).

Pros and Cons of Space-Based Imaging
There are advantages and disadvantages to any data source. Spatial resolution is only one criteria that relates to the usability of digital imagery, however, it has been an important one when it comes to space-based sensors. For the last ten years or so, most of the technological advances in the U.S. remote sensing industry have focused on increased spectral resolution and better tools for analyzing the imagery to turn raw data into information. Hyperspectral sensors have been developed to increase the ability to differentiate between different types of mineral deposits and trace elements in rocks, or variations in vegetative species, or water content in soils. Little progress has been made in this country until recently in providing very high spatial resolution imagery to a broad commercial base in a timely and consistent fashion.
      Recently the tools have advanced to the point where almost every business segment uses or could benefit from the utilization of GIS technology. The GIS industry is experiencing rapid growth in providing vertical market solutions to the electric and gas utilities, telecommunications firms, environmental consultants, transportation and water resources agencies, timber companies, energy exploration companies, and even retail businesses just to name a few. Most, if not all, of these market segments would derive great benefit from a consistent, readily-available, cost-effective supply of high-resolution satellite imagery.
      Questions regarding the potential disadvantages may only be answered after the products hit the market, but some issues beg to be addressed before that time. Issues such as the availability (or lack thereof) of stereo coverage, limited spectral resolution at the expense of increased spatial resolution, atmospheric interference, and precise positioning are the kinds of details that need to be resolved before widespread acceptance will occur.
      It is likely that extra emphasis will be placed on the product development side of the business to provide plug-and-play data that requires only a small degree of sophistication on the part of the end users of this new data source. If the products are easy to incorporate and meet most accuracy and cost requirements of a broad user base, success is inevitable.

Broadening the Horizons
In order for the utilization of remotely sensed data to expand and take advantage of the growing demands of GIS users with an appetite for high-resolution imagery, the real benefits of this new data source must be examined. Rather than the traditional vertical market approach to GIS, where solutions are offered to a particular business segment based on their perceived needs, the future success of space-based imaging must by necessity rely on a more horizontal marketing effort. This means a broad base of end users must be provided with easy access to a standard product line that is off-the-shelf, readily ingested into their common GIS software formats, and priced sensibly.
      Within the overall range of potential applications for high-resolution imaging, there are many excellent benefits that can be derived. In some cases and depending on accuracy requirements, high-resolution imagery could be used in place of digital orthophotos to provide a backdrop for heads-up digitizing of basemap features. For example, state transportation departments might use high-resolution imagery to periodically update the roads layer in their GIS database. Utility companies could use the improved satellite imagery to develop wide-area coverage of their transmission corridors, and to provide basemap information for their pipelines, telephone cables, gas, or electric lines. Timber and energy exploration companies can make good use of this new data source to manage their properties, assist with monitoring and exploration activities, and provide mapping support for remote locations.

Spreading the Word
In many instances, the people who could benefit most from this new data source are too busy meeting deadlines and dealing with existing issues to delve into something very different. In those situations, education will play a key role in getting the word out. Organizations that have staff who are well-informed of the potential benefits of high-resolution imagery and have the basic skills in place to effectively utilize them are those most likely to invest in the products.
      Some technology transfer has occurred and probably will continue through agencies like NASA and the USGS, but with federal budget cuts and general belt-tightening taking place, the burden of education is likely to fall mostly on the shoulders of private industry and universities. Professional seminars, workshops, and training classes are already beginning to appear as vendors and consultants begin to realize the potential opportunities that exist. I predict that this trend will continue and I encourage all of you who have an interest in this area to attend as many educational sessions as you can afford. The future is bright - don't get blind-sided by the technology.

About the Author:
Damon Judd is manager of GIS and computer applications for RUST Environment and Infrastructure in Broomfield, Colo. He may be reached at 303-469-6660 (phone) or 303-469-6665 (fax).

Back