# Terrabit — Complete Site Content > Terrabit is an Australian geospatial intelligence company that provides satellite imagery, digital elevation models, and AI-powered analytics through its Albatross platform. Serving mining, energy, government, infrastructure, and environmental sectors. Generated: 2026-02-19T23:21:38.921Z Source: https://terrabit.com.au For navigation, see: https://terrabit.com.au/llms.txt --- ## Products & Services ### Satellite Imagery High-resolution satellite imagery for earth observation. Optical and radar imagery, tasking and archive access. Multi-spectral analysis, change detection, and monitoring solutions. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/products/satellite-imagery --- ### Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) High-accuracy digital elevation models from satellite imagery. Terrain analysis, volumetric calculations, slope mapping, and 3D visualization for mining, construction, and infrastructure projects. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/products/dems --- ### Albatross Platform Albatross is Terrabit's geospatial analytics platform for satellite imagery management, analysis, and visualization. Cloud-based platform with AI-powered insights and automated data pipelines. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/platforms/albatross --- ## Industry Solutions ### Mining Solutions Satellite-based monitoring for mining operations. Stockpile volumetrics, mine site progress tracking, tailings dam monitoring, environmental compliance, and haul road assessment. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/solutions/industries/mining --- ### Energy Solutions Geospatial intelligence for energy and utilities sector. Pipeline monitoring, vegetation encroachment, right-of-way assessment, solar farm analysis, and infrastructure inspection. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/solutions/industries/energy --- ### Government Solutions Satellite intelligence for government and public sector. Defense and security applications, disaster response, border monitoring, urban planning, and environmental management. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/solutions/industries/government --- ### Environmental Monitoring Environmental monitoring and compliance using satellite data. Vegetation health, deforestation tracking, water quality, land use change, and carbon monitoring. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/solutions/industries/environmental --- ### Infrastructure Solutions Infrastructure monitoring and construction progress tracking. Building footprint analysis, transportation network monitoring, and asset management from space. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/solutions/industries/infrastructure --- ## Satellite Constellations ### BlackSky Gen-2 - Vendor: blacksky - Category: multispectral - Resolution: 80cm multispectral - Bands: 3 - Revisit: 4-8 overpasses per day - Archive: Yes | Tasking: Yes ## Overview The BlackSky Gen-2 constellation represents a fleet of 12 high-revisit Earth observation satellites designed for rapid, frequent imaging of locations worldwide. Deployed between 2019 and 2024, this constellation enables multiple daily observations of any point on Earth. ## High-Revisit Architecture With 12 satellites in sun-synchronous orbit, the Gen-2 constellation delivers: - **4-8 daily passes** - Multiple imaging opportunities per day over any location - **Rapid response** - Quick tasking for time-sensitive requirements - **Persistent monitoring** - Track changes as they happen throughout the day ## Optimized for Monitoring The constellation is designed for applications requiring frequent updates: - **Activity monitoring** - Track movement and changes at sites of interest - **Event response** - Rapid imagery during unfolding events - **Supply chain visibility** - Monitor ports, airports, and logistics hubs - **Infrastructure tracking** - Construction progress and facility monitoring ## Multispectral Capability The 3-band multispectral sensor provides natural color imagery for: - **Visual interpretation** - Clear, intuitive imagery for analysts - **Change detection** - Compare successive passes to identify changes - **Mapping** - Base imagery for geospatial products ## Applications BlackSky Gen-2's high-revisit capability supports: - **Defense and intelligence** - Persistent surveillance and situational awareness - **Supply chain** - Global logistics monitoring and risk assessment - **Insurance** - Rapid damage assessment and claims verification - **News and media** - Breaking news imagery and event coverage - **Government** - Border monitoring and critical infrastructure protection URL: https://terrabit.com.au/satellites/blacksky-gen2 --- ### BlackSky Gen-3 - Vendor: blacksky - Category: multispectral - Resolution: 35cm panchromatic and multispectral - Bands: 4 - Revisit: 6-10 overpasses per day with full constellation - Archive: Yes | Tasking: Yes ## Overview The BlackSky Gen-3 constellation represents a significant leap in commercial Earth observation capability. Beginning deployment in 2025, these next-generation satellites deliver 35cm resolution—more than double the detail of the Gen-2 fleet—with the addition of short-wave infrared (SWIR) imaging capability. ## Enhanced Resolution With 35cm resolution at nadir, Gen-3 satellites provide unprecedented detail for: - **Vehicle identification** - Distinguish individual vehicle types - **Infrastructure detail** - Assess equipment and structural features - **Activity analysis** - Identify specific activities and objects - **Damage assessment** - Detailed impact evaluation ## SWIR Capability The addition of short-wave infrared imaging enables new applications: - **Camouflage detection** - See through certain concealment techniques - **Material identification** - Distinguish between surface types - **Thermal signatures** - Detect heat-emitting activities - **All-condition imaging** - Penetrate haze and thin clouds ## Expanded Constellation The Gen-3 program targets 30 satellites for maximum revisit: - **Current status** - 3 satellites operational (as of early 2025) - **Near-term** - 8 satellites operational by Q1 2026 - **Full constellation** - Up to 30 satellites for 6-10 daily passes ## Improved Performance Gen-3 satellites feature enhanced capabilities: - **Faster retargeting** - Under 1 minute between targets (vs. 2 minutes for Gen-2) - **Wider swath** - 7km footprint (vs. 4km for Gen-2) - **Higher capacity** - >1.2 million sq km daily per satellite - **Better accuracy** - 35-70cm CE90 with ground control ## Applications BlackSky Gen-3's capabilities support advanced applications: - **Defense** - High-resolution intelligence with SWIR for enhanced detection - **Maritime** - Vessel identification and port monitoring - **Energy** - Pipeline and facility monitoring with thermal detection - **Emergency response** - Rapid, detailed damage assessment URL: https://terrabit.com.au/satellites/blacksky-gen3 --- ### Dragonette-1 - Vendor: wyvern - Category: hyperspectral - Resolution: 5.3 m hyperspectral - Bands: 23 - Revisit: Every 2 days - Archive: Yes | Tasking: Yes ## Overview Dragonette-1 is the first satellite in Wyvern's hyperspectral constellation, launched in April 2023. As a pathfinder mission, it demonstrated Wyvern's innovative approach to affordable hyperspectral imaging from space, delivering 23-band VNIR data at 5.3-meter resolution. ## Hyperspectral Capability With 23 contiguous spectral bands spanning the visible to near-infrared range (500-800nm), Dragonette-1 provides detailed spectral signatures for: - **Crop health analysis** - Detect plant stress before visible symptoms appear - **Species identification** - Distinguish between vegetation types and crop varieties - **Water quality** - Monitor chlorophyll, sediment, and pollutant levels - **Mineral mapping** - Identify surface mineralogy and soil composition ## Spectral Resolution The 23 VNIR bands provide continuous spectral coverage with narrow bandwidths (~20-32nm FWHM), enabling: - **Spectral unmixing** - Decompose mixed pixels into component materials - **Red edge analysis** - Precise vegetation health metrics from the 690-750nm region - **Chlorophyll estimation** - Multiple bands targeting absorption features ## Applications Dragonette-1's hyperspectral capabilities support: - **Precision agriculture** - Variable rate application and yield optimization - **Forestry** - Forest health monitoring and species mapping - **Environmental monitoring** - Ecosystem assessment and change detection - **Mining** - Exploration support and environmental compliance URL: https://terrabit.com.au/satellites/dragonette-1 --- ### Dragonette 2-5 - Vendor: wyvern - Category: hyperspectral - Resolution: 5.3 m hyperspectral - Bands: 31 - Revisit: Daily - Archive: Yes | Tasking: Yes ## Overview The Dragonette constellation (Dragonette-2, 3, 4 and 5) represents Wyvern's operational hyperspectral imaging capability. Building on lessons learned from Dragonette-1, these satellites feature an enhanced 31-band sensor with extended spectral coverage into the blue wavelengths (445-770nm). ## Enhanced Hyperspectral Capability With 31 contiguous spectral bands spanning the visible to near-infrared range, the Dragonette constellation provides comprehensive spectral signatures for: - **Precision agriculture** - Detailed crop health, nutrient status, and stress detection - **Water quality monitoring** - Chlorophyll, suspended sediments, and dissolved organics - **Vegetation analysis** - Species identification and ecosystem health assessment - **Mineral exploration** - Surface mineralogy and geological mapping ## Extended Blue Coverage The addition of blue wavelength bands (445-495nm) enables: - **Coastal and bathymetric analysis** - Shallow water depth estimation - **Atmospheric correction** - Improved data quality through aerosol characterization - **Water constituent analysis** - Enhanced detection of phytoplankton and water quality parameters ## Spectral Resolution The 31 VNIR bands provide continuous spectral coverage with narrow bandwidths (~18-31nm FWHM), enabling: - **Spectral unmixing** - Decompose mixed pixels into component materials - **Red edge analysis** - Multiple bands capturing the vegetation red edge (680-750nm) - **Derivative spectroscopy** - Fine spectral features for material identification ## Applications The Dragonette constellation's hyperspectral capabilities support: - **Agriculture** - Variable rate application, yield prediction, and crop monitoring - **Forestry** - Forest inventory, health assessment, and fire risk mapping - **Environment** - Wetland mapping, invasive species detection, and habitat assessment - **Mining** - Exploration targeting and environmental monitoring - **Water resources** - Lake and reservoir monitoring, algal bloom detection URL: https://terrabit.com.au/satellites/dragonette-2-5 --- ### GeoEye-1 - Vendor: vantor - Category: multispectral - Resolution: 41 cm panchromatic, 1.65 m multispectral - Bands: 4 - Revisit: 4-5 overpasses per week - Archive: Yes | Tasking: Yes ## Overview GeoEye-1 is a high-resolution commercial imaging satellite known for its exceptional pointing accuracy and agility. It is part of the Vantor constellation and continues to provide reliable high-resolution imagery. ## Precision Geolocation GeoEye-1 was designed with an emphasis on geometric accuracy, featuring: - Advanced star trackers for precise attitude determination - High-accuracy GPS for orbit determination - Rapid retargeting capability for efficient collection ## Multispectral Capability The four-band multispectral sensor provides essential spectral information for: - **Natural color** - True color visualization for interpretation - **Color infrared** - Vegetation health and land cover analysis - **Pan-sharpening** - High-resolution multispectral products ## Applications GeoEye-1's combination of resolution and accuracy supports: - **Intelligence** - Precise geolocation for situational awareness - **Mapping** - Accurate base map production - **Engineering** - Site planning and infrastructure assessment - **Insurance** - Property assessment and damage documentation URL: https://terrabit.com.au/satellites/geoeye-1 --- ### KOMPSAT-2 - Vendor: siis - Category: multispectral - Resolution: 1.0 m panchromatic, 4.0 m multispectral - Bands: 4 - Revisit: 4-5 overpasses per week - Archive: Yes | Tasking: Yes ## Overview KOMPSAT-2 (Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite 2) is a South Korean Earth observation satellite operated by SI Imaging Services (SIIS). Launched in 2006 with an expected 5-year mission life, it has far exceeded expectations and continues to provide valuable imagery nearly two decades later. ## Extended Mission Success Originally designed for a 5-year mission, KOMPSAT-2 has demonstrated exceptional reliability and remains operational as of 2025. This longevity has provided an extensive archive of consistent imagery for long-term change detection and monitoring applications. ## Multispectral Capability The four-band multispectral sensor provides essential spectral information for: - **Natural color** - True color visualization for interpretation - **Color infrared** - Vegetation health and land cover analysis - **Pan-sharpening** - Enhanced resolution multispectral products ## Applications KOMPSAT-2's combination of resolution and reliability supports: - **Mapping** - Base map production and cartographic applications - **Environmental monitoring** - Land use change and ecosystem assessment - **Agriculture** - Crop monitoring and agricultural planning - **Urban planning** - Development tracking and infrastructure mapping URL: https://terrabit.com.au/satellites/kompsat-2 --- ### KOMPSAT-3 - Vendor: siis - Category: multispectral - Resolution: 50 cm panchromatic, 2.0 m multispectral - Bands: 4 - Revisit: 4-5 overpasses per week - Archive: Yes | Tasking: Yes ## Overview KOMPSAT-3 (Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite 3) is a high-resolution Earth observation satellite operated by SI Imaging Services (SIIS). Launched in 2012, it marked a significant advancement in Korean space capabilities with sub-meter resolution imaging. ## High-Resolution Imaging With 55cm panchromatic resolution, KOMPSAT-3 provides detailed imagery suitable for: - **Urban mapping** - Building footprints and infrastructure detail - **Precision agriculture** - Field-level crop analysis - **Security applications** - Detailed site monitoring - **Change detection** - Fine-scale temporal analysis ## Multispectral Capability The four-band multispectral sensor enables: - **Vegetation analysis** - NDVI and crop health assessment - **Land cover classification** - Detailed habitat mapping - **Water quality** - Coastal and inland water monitoring - **Disaster response** - Damage assessment and planning ## Applications KOMPSAT-3's combination of resolution and spectral capability supports: - **Government** - National mapping and defense applications - **Agriculture** - Precision farming and yield estimation - **Environment** - Ecosystem monitoring and conservation - **Infrastructure** - Asset management and planning URL: https://terrabit.com.au/satellites/kompsat-3 --- ### KOMPSAT-3A - Vendor: siis - Category: multispectral - Resolution: 40 cm panchromatic, 1.6 m multispectral, 5.5 m infrared - Bands: 5 - Revisit: 4-5 overpasses per week - Archive: Yes | Tasking: Yes ## Overview KOMPSAT-3A (Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite 3A) is an advanced Earth observation satellite operated by SI Imaging Services (SIIS). Launched in 2015, it represents the highest resolution optical imaging capability in the KOMPSAT constellation with 40cm panchromatic resolution. ## Enhanced Resolution With 40cm panchromatic resolution, KOMPSAT-3A delivers exceptional detail for: - **Defense and intelligence** - Detailed reconnaissance and situational awareness - **Urban mapping** - Individual building and vehicle identification - **Infrastructure** - Precise asset inventory and condition assessment - **Precision agriculture** - Plant-level analysis and crop monitoring ## Infrared Capability KOMPSAT-3A includes infrared imaging capability enabling: - **Night imaging** - Thermal detection during nighttime passes - **Fire detection** - Active fire identification and monitoring - **Industrial monitoring** - Heat signature analysis ## Applications KOMPSAT-3A's combination of high resolution and infrared capability supports: - **Government** - National security and emergency response - **Defense** - Strategic and tactical intelligence - **Environment** - Wildfire monitoring and thermal mapping - **Energy** - Pipeline and power infrastructure monitoring URL: https://terrabit.com.au/satellites/kompsat-3a --- ### KOMPSAT-5 - Vendor: siis - Category: sar - Resolution: 0.85 m Spotlight, 2.5 m Strip, 20 m Wide swath - Bands: 1 - Revisit: Every 1-2 days - Archive: Yes | Tasking: Yes ## Overview KOMPSAT-5 (Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite 5) is a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operated by SI Imaging Services (SIIS). Launched in 2013, it provides all-weather, day-and-night imaging capability using X-band radar technology. ## SAR Capabilities As a radar imaging satellite, KOMPSAT-5 offers unique advantages: - **All-weather imaging** - Penetrates clouds and operates in any atmospheric conditions - **Day and night operation** - Active radar illumination enables 24/7 collection - **Surface characterization** - Radar backscatter reveals surface properties invisible to optical sensors ## Multiple Imaging Modes KOMPSAT-5 offers flexible imaging modes to match application requirements: - **Spotlight** - 0.85 and 1 m resolution for detailed site monitoring (5 km wide scenes) - **Strip** - 2.5 and 3 m resolution for regional coverage (30 km x 840 km scenes) - **Wide swath** - 20 m resolution for wide-area surveillance (100 km x 840 km scenes) ## Applications KOMPSAT-5's SAR capabilities support critical applications: - **Maritime surveillance** - Ship detection and tracking in all conditions - **Disaster response** - Flood mapping and damage assessment through clouds - **Defense** - All-weather reconnaissance and monitoring - **Infrastructure** - Subsidence monitoring and structural analysis URL: https://terrabit.com.au/satellites/kompsat-5 --- ### Landsat 7 - Vendor: nasa-usgs - Category: multispectral - Resolution: 15 m panchromatic, 30 m multispectral, 60 m thermal - Bands: 7 - Revisit: Every 16 days - Archive: Yes | Tasking: No ## Overview Landsat 7, launched in 1999, is a joint NASA/USGS mission that continues the Landsat program's legacy of providing consistent, calibrated Earth observation data. Despite a Scan Line Corrector (SLC) failure in 2003, it remained operational until 2025 when it was decommissioned. ## Extended Mission Success Originally designed for a 5-year mission, Landsat 7 has operated for over 25 years, demonstrating exceptional reliability and providing an unbroken record of Earth observation data. ## Scan Line Corrector Issue Since May 2003, the Scan Line Corrector has been non-functional, resulting in data gaps at the edges of each scene. However: - **Center of scene** - Full data quality maintained - **Gap-filling techniques** - Algorithms available to interpolate missing data - **Continued value** - Data remains useful for many applications ## Landsat Archive Landsat 7 contributes to the world's longest continuous satellite record of Earth's land surface: - **25+ years** of consistent observations - **Free and open** data policy since 2008 - **Calibrated** to match other Landsat sensors ## Applications Landsat 7 data supports: - **Land cover change** - Track deforestation, urbanization, and land use - **Water resources** - Monitor lakes, reservoirs, and irrigation - **Agriculture** - Crop monitoring and drought assessment - **Climate research** - Long-term environmental change studies - **Disaster response** - Fire mapping and flood extent ## Open Data Policy All Landsat 7 data is freely available through USGS Earth Explorer and the Landsat archive, supporting global research and operational applications. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/satellites/landsat-7 --- ### Landsat 8 - Vendor: nasa-usgs - Category: multispectral - Resolution: 15 m panchromatic, 30 m multispectral, 100 m thermal - Bands: 11 - Revisit: Every 16 days - Archive: Yes | Tasking: No ## Overview Landsat 8 is a joint NASA/USGS mission launched in 2013, continuing the Landsat program's 50+ year legacy of Earth observation. It carries two instruments—the Operational Land Imager (OLI) and the Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS)—providing comprehensive spectral coverage. ## Enhanced Capabilities Landsat 8 introduced significant improvements over previous Landsat missions: - **12-bit radiometric resolution** - Improved dynamic range (vs. 8-bit on Landsat 7) - **Coastal aerosol band** - Enhanced atmospheric correction and coastal studies - **Cirrus band** - Cloud detection and atmospheric monitoring - **Dual thermal bands** - Improved surface temperature accuracy ## Thermal Imaging The Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) provides two thermal bands for: - **Surface temperature** - Land and water temperature mapping - **Evapotranspiration** - Water use and drought monitoring - **Urban heat islands** - City temperature analysis - **Volcanic monitoring** - Thermal anomaly detection ## Landsat Continuity Landsat 8 ensures continuity with the historic Landsat archive: - **Cross-calibrated** with Landsat 7 and 9 - **Consistent data products** for time series analysis - **8-day combined revisit** when paired with Landsat 9 ## Applications Landsat 8 data supports diverse applications: - **Agriculture** - Crop health, irrigation monitoring, yield estimation - **Forestry** - Forest inventory, fire mapping, deforestation - **Water resources** - Lake extent, water quality, snow cover - **Urban** - Urban growth, heat islands, impervious surfaces - **Climate** - Land surface temperature, vegetation phenology ## Open Data Policy All Landsat 8 data is freely available through USGS Earth Explorer, supporting global research, commercial applications, and operational services. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/satellites/landsat-8 --- ### Landsat 9 - Vendor: nasa-usgs - Category: multispectral - Resolution: 15 m panchromatic, 30 m multispectral, 100 m thermal - Bands: 11 - Revisit: Every 16 days - Archive: Yes | Tasking: No ## Overview Landsat 9 is the latest mission in the joint NASA/USGS Landsat program, launched in September 2021. It continues the 50+ year legacy of Landsat Earth observation, providing consistent, calibrated data for global land monitoring. ## Improved Performance Landsat 9 features enhanced capabilities: - **14-bit radiometric resolution** - Improved sensitivity and dynamic range - **Improved TIRS-2** - Better thermal calibration than Landsat 8 - **Lower noise** - Enhanced signal-to-noise ratio for subtle feature detection - **Consistent calibration** - Matched to Landsat 8 for seamless time series ## Combined Revisit Operating in tandem with Landsat 8, the two satellites provide: - **8-day combined revisit** - Doubled observation frequency - **Phased orbits** - Landsat 9 follows Landsat 8 by 8 days - **Consistent products** - Identical spectral bands and processing ## Landsat Legacy Landsat 9 ensures continuity of the world's longest civilian Earth observation record: - **50+ years** of continuous observations since 1972 - **Billions of acres** monitored annually - **Free and open** data for all users worldwide ## Applications Landsat 9 data supports critical applications: - **Agriculture** - Crop monitoring, water use efficiency, yield forecasting - **Forestry** - Forest health, carbon stocks, wildfire recovery - **Water** - Surface water extent, water quality, glacier monitoring - **Urban** - Urban expansion, infrastructure planning, heat mitigation - **Climate** - Ecosystem change, carbon cycle, phenology trends ## Open Data Policy All Landsat 9 data is freely available through USGS Earth Explorer and cloud platforms (AWS, Google Earth Engine), supporting global research and applications. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/satellites/landsat-9 --- ### QuickBird - Vendor: vantor - Category: multispectral - Resolution: 61 cm panchromatic, 2.44 m multispectral - Bands: 4 - Revisit: Decommissioned - Archive: Yes | Tasking: No ## Overview QuickBird was a pioneering commercial Earth observation satellite that helped establish the market for high-resolution satellite imagery. Launched in 2001 by Vantor, it operated successfully for over 13 years before being decommissioned in 2014. ## Historical Significance QuickBird was one of the first commercial satellites to offer sub-meter resolution imagery, making high-resolution satellite data accessible to commercial and government customers worldwide. ## Archive Value With over 13 years of global collections, QuickBird's archive provides valuable historical baseline data for: - **Long-term change analysis** - Document changes over a decade-plus timeframe - **Historical documentation** - Capture conditions from the early 2000s - **Baseline studies** - Establish pre-development or pre-impact conditions - **Legal and regulatory** - Support historical compliance documentation ## Applications for Archive Data QuickBird archive imagery supports: - **Urban growth studies** - Track expansion from 2001-2014 - **Environmental monitoring** - Document historical ecosystem conditions - **Infrastructure development** - Record construction timelines - **Academic research** - Support longitudinal studies and historical analysis URL: https://terrabit.com.au/satellites/quickbird-2 --- ### Sentinel-1 - Vendor: esa - Category: sar - Resolution: 5.0 m Stripmap, 5x20 m IW, 20x40 m EW - Bands: 1 - Revisit: 6 days - Archive: Yes | Tasking: No ## Overview Sentinel-1 is the European Space Agency's C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) mission, developed as part of the Copernicus programme. It provides all-weather, day-and-night radar imaging capability for land and ocean monitoring applications. ## SAR Capabilities As a radar imaging mission, Sentinel-1 offers unique advantages: - **All-weather imaging** - Penetrates clouds and operates in any atmospheric conditions - **Day and night operation** - Active radar illumination enables 24/7 collection - **Surface deformation** - Interferometric capability for subsidence and uplift monitoring - **Polarimetric analysis** - Multiple polarisation modes for surface characterisation ## Imaging Modes Sentinel-1 provides four distinct imaging modes: - **Stripmap (SM)** - 5m resolution, 80km swath for detailed regional mapping - **Interferometric Wide Swath (IW)** - Primary mode over land, 5x20m resolution, 250km swath - **Extra Wide Swath (EW)** - 20x40m resolution, 400km swath for maritime and ice monitoring - **Wave Mode** - Ocean wave spectra measurement ## Applications Sentinel-1 data supports critical applications: - **Maritime surveillance** - Ship detection, oil spill monitoring, sea ice mapping - **Land monitoring** - Deforestation, agriculture, urban change detection - **Emergency response** - Flood mapping, earthquake damage assessment - **Infrastructure** - Ground subsidence monitoring, pipeline surveillance - **Glaciology** - Ice sheet dynamics and glacier flow ## Open Data Policy Sentinel-1 data is freely available through the Copernicus Open Access Hub, supporting scientific research and operational services worldwide. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/satellites/sentinel-1 --- ### Sentinel-2 - Vendor: esa - Category: multispectral - Resolution: 10 m visible/NIR, 20 m red edge/SWIR, 60 m atmospheric - Bands: 13 - Revisit: 5 days at equator (with both satellites) - Archive: Yes | Tasking: No ## Overview Sentinel-2 is the European Space Agency's high-resolution multispectral imaging mission, developed as part of the Copernicus programme. The three-satellite constellation provides systematic global coverage with 13 spectral bands at 10-60m resolution. ## Multispectral Excellence With 13 spectral bands spanning visible to short-wave infrared wavelengths, Sentinel-2 enables: - **Vegetation monitoring** - NDVI, LAI, and chlorophyll content analysis - **Land cover classification** - Detailed habitat and land use mapping - **Water quality** - Coastal and inland water body monitoring - **Agriculture** - Crop type identification and health assessment ## Red Edge Bands The three red edge bands (705, 740, 783nm) provide unique capabilities: - **Vegetation stress detection** - Early warning of plant health issues - **Chlorophyll estimation** - Precise biomass and productivity assessment - **Crop phenology** - Track growth stages through the season ## High Revisit Frequency With three satellites the Sentinel-2 constellation achieves: - **5-day revisit** at the equator - **2-3 day revisit** at mid-latitudes - **Daily coverage** at high latitudes ## Applications Sentinel-2 data supports diverse applications: - **Agriculture** - Precision farming, crop monitoring, yield prediction - **Forestry** - Forest inventory, fire mapping, deforestation monitoring - **Urban** - Urban expansion tracking, green space mapping - **Disaster** - Flood mapping, fire extent, damage assessment - **Coastal** - Shoreline change, habitat mapping, water quality ## Open Data Policy Sentinel-2 data is freely available through the Copernicus Open Access Hub, enabling global access to high-quality Earth observation data. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/satellites/sentinel-2 --- ### WorldView-1 - Vendor: vantor - Category: panchromatic - Resolution: 50 cm panchromatic - Bands: 1 - Revisit: 4-5 overpasses per week - Archive: Yes | Tasking: Yes ## Overview WorldView-1 was the first of Vantor's WorldView series, establishing the standard for commercial high-resolution satellite imagery when it launched in 2007. As a panchromatic-only satellite, it is optimized for applications requiring maximum spatial resolution and geometric accuracy. ## Mapping Excellence WorldView-1's design prioritizes geometric accuracy and collection efficiency, making it the preferred choice for: - **Stereo collection** - Rapid acquisition of stereo pairs for 3D modeling - **Large-area mapping** - Consistent, high-accuracy base mapping - **Digital elevation models** - Source imagery for terrain extraction ## Extended Mission Success Operating well beyond its original 10-year design life, WorldView-1 demonstrates exceptional reliability and continues to provide valuable imagery for the global mapping community. ## Applications WorldView-1's panchromatic focus makes it ideal for: - **Cartography** - Base map production and updates - **Infrastructure** - Road networks, building footprints, and facility mapping - **Defense** - High-resolution reconnaissance and situational awareness - **3D modeling** - Urban reconstruction and terrain analysis URL: https://terrabit.com.au/satellites/worldview-1 --- ### WorldView-2 - Vendor: vantor - Category: multispectral - Resolution: 46 cm panchromatic, 1.85 m multispectral - Bands: 8 - Revisit: 4-5 overpasses per week - Archive: Yes | Tasking: Yes ## Overview WorldView-2 was the first commercial satellite to offer 8-band multispectral imaging, revolutionizing Earth observation capabilities when it launched in 2009. Part of the Vantor constellation, its innovative sensor design introduced four new spectral bands—coastal, yellow, red edge, and NIR-2—that have since become standard for advanced remote sensing applications. ## 8-Band Multispectral Pioneer The additional bands enable capabilities not possible with traditional 4-band sensors: - **Coastal band** - Bathymetric mapping and coastal zone analysis - **Yellow band** - Improved vegetation discrimination and senescence detection - **Red Edge band** - Plant health and chlorophyll content analysis - **NIR-2 band** - Atmospheric correction and improved vegetation indices ## Extensive Archive With over 15 years of consistent operations, WorldView-2 has built one of the most comprehensive commercial satellite imagery archives. This extensive historical record is invaluable for long-term change detection and trend analysis. ## Applications WorldView-2's balanced combination of resolution and spectral capability makes it ideal for: - **Agriculture** - Crop type classification and health monitoring - **Forestry** - Species mapping and biomass estimation - **Coastal management** - Shallow water bathymetry and habitat mapping - **Urban planning** - Land use classification and infrastructure mapping URL: https://terrabit.com.au/satellites/worldview-2 --- ### WorldView-3 - Vendor: vantor - Category: multispectral - Resolution: 31 cm panchromatic, 1.24 m multispectral, 3.7 m SWIR - Bands: 16 - Revisit: 4-5 overpasses per week - Archive: Yes | Tasking: Yes ## Overview WorldView-3 is a groundbreaking commercial satellite that introduced short-wave infrared (SWIR) imaging capabilities to the commercial market. Launched in 2014, it remains one of the most capable Earth observation satellites in orbit, combining super-spectral imaging with industry-leading resolution. ## SWIR Capabilities The eight SWIR bands enable unique applications not possible with traditional visible and near-infrared sensors: - **Mineral identification** - Distinguish between different rock types and mineral compositions - **Vegetation health** - Detect plant stress before visible symptoms appear - **Moisture mapping** - Identify water content in soil and vegetation - **Material classification** - Differentiate between natural and man-made surfaces ## Multispectral Excellence Beyond SWIR, WorldView-3's eight multispectral bands provide comprehensive spectral coverage for: - Coastal and bathymetric analysis - Vegetation indices and crop monitoring - Land cover classification - Change detection ## Applications WorldView-3's unique spectral capabilities make it essential for: - **Mining and exploration** - Mineral mapping and resource assessment - **Agriculture** - Advanced crop analysis and yield prediction - **Environmental monitoring** - Ecosystem health and change detection - **Defense and intelligence** - Material identification and site characterization URL: https://terrabit.com.au/satellites/worldview-3 --- ### WorldView-4 - Vendor: vantor - Category: multispectral - Resolution: 31 cm panchromatic, 1.23 m multispectral - Bands: 4 - Revisit: Decommissioned - Archive: Yes | Tasking: No ## Overview WorldView-4 was a high-resolution commercial imaging satellite that operated from November 2016 until January 2019. Originally built as GeoEye-2, it was launched by Vantor and provided 31cm resolution imagery until a control moment gyroscope failure led to its decommissioning. ## Archive Availability While WorldView-4 is no longer operational, its archive imagery remains available for historical analysis and baseline studies. The satellite collected imagery for over two years, providing valuable historical data for change detection and retrospective analysis. ## Applications for Archive Data WorldView-4 archive imagery is useful for: - **Historical baselines** - Establish conditions before development or environmental changes - **Change detection** - Compare with current imagery to quantify changes - **Legal and compliance** - Document historical conditions for regulatory purposes - **Research** - Support academic and scientific studies requiring historical data URL: https://terrabit.com.au/satellites/worldview-4 --- ### WorldView Legion - Vendor: vantor - Category: multispectral - Resolution: 34 cm panchromatic, 1.36 m multispectral - Bands: 8 - Revisit: 3-4 overpasses per day - Archive: Yes | Tasking: Yes ## Overview WorldView Legion represents the next generation of Vantor's commercial Earth observation capabilities. This six-satellite constellation combines the proven imaging heritage of the WorldView platform with dramatically improved revisit rates, enabling multiple collections per day over any location on Earth. ## Key Capabilities The constellation features both sun-synchronous and mid-latitude orbit configurations. Four satellites operate in a 45-degree inclination mid-latitude orbit (MIO), providing distributed coverage throughout daytime hours. This innovative orbital design ensures rapid revisit for time-critical applications. ## Applications WorldView Legion's high-frequency revisit capability makes it ideal for: - **Change detection** - Monitor construction progress, disaster response, and environmental changes - **Time-sensitive intelligence** - Capture events as they unfold with multiple daily passes - **Precision agriculture** - Track crop development throughout growing seasons - **Maritime monitoring** - Identify and track vessels across shipping lanes - **Infrastructure monitoring** - Regular assessment of critical assets and facilities ## Archive and Tasking Both archive imagery and new tasking are available through Terrabit. The constellation's high collection capacity ensures extensive archive coverage, while rapid retargeting enables responsive tasking for urgent requirements. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/satellites/worldview-legion --- ## Blog Posts ### Archive Satellite Imagery over Australia - Author: Simon Greig - Published: 2026-02-19 - Category: blog - Tags: Guides **Over 180,000 swath footprints captured across Australia in just 12 months. Vantor's growing archive means high-resolution satellite imagery is already waiting for your area of interest.** Satellite data is never just a single snapshot. It is a time-series of captures that reveals how landscapes, infrastructure, and environments evolve over weeks, months, and years. That accumulating record is what makes archive satellite imagery so powerful, and so essential for projects across , , agriculture, and in Australia. Whether you are tracking rehabilitation progress at a remote mine site in the Pilbara, assessing vegetation recovery after bushfire in the Blue Mountains, or establishing a pre-development baseline along the east coast, archived high-resolution gives you the historical evidence you need, without waiting for a new satellite pass. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about sourcing, evaluating, and ordering archive satellite imagery across Australia, including how makes the entire process fast, transparent, and reliable. ## What Is Archive Satellite Imagery? Archive satellite imagery refers to historical satellite data that has already been captured, processed, stored, and indexed by satellite operators. Instead of commissioning a new acquisition (known as "tasking"), you search the existing catalogue by location, date range, cloud cover, and resolution, then order exactly the swathes you need. Because archive data already exists, it offers several immediate advantages over . Delivery is faster, often within days rather than weeks. Costs are typically lower since you are licensing data that has already been collected. And you can review metadata and preview footprints before committing to a purchase, removing much of the uncertainty that comes with ordering fresh captures over cloud-prone regions of Australia. For professionals who need to , the archive should always be the first place to look. ## Why Archive Satellite Data Matters in Australia Australia's sheer scale, nearly 7.7 million square kilometres of diverse terrain, makes it one of the most compelling markets for satellite-based earth observation. Ground surveys and crewed aerial flights are expensive, logistically complex, and time-consuming, particularly in remote and semi-arid regions where many mining and environmental projects are located. High-resolution archive satellite imagery solves this by providing a cost-effective, repeatable, and spatially consistent record of change across vast distances. Rather than mobilising a field team every quarter, project managers can pull successive archive captures to measure progress, validate compliance, and build visual evidence for stakeholders. Australia also benefits from comparatively low cloud cover across much of its interior, which means satellite archives tend to contain a higher proportion of usable, cloud-free imagery than many other parts of the world. The result is dense temporal coverage that supports detailed time-series analysis for sites from the tropical north to the temperate south. ## Key Applications for Archive Satellite Imagery in Australia ### Mining and Resource Projects The Australian is one of the largest consumers of commercial satellite imagery, and archive data plays a central role across the . **Baseline and change detection.** Before any ground disturbance begins, archive imagery provides an objective record of pre-existing conditions. This baseline is critical for environmental impact assessments, for measuring subsequent change, and for demonstrating compliance with regulatory requirements such as Western Australia's Mining Rehabilitation Fund (MRF) and Queensland's Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plan (PRCP). **Disturbance and rehabilitation monitoring.** Archive satellite imagery enables mining companies to track the footprint of operational disturbance over time and to measure rehabilitation progress without repeated field visits. Month-by-month or quarter-by-quarter comparisons at 30 cm or 50 cm resolution reveal the trajectory of revegetation, earthworks, and landform reshaping with high spatial detail. **Lifecycle reporting.** From exploration through to closure, a well-curated archive provides the visual and analytical foundation for regulatory submissions, investor updates, and community engagement. Historical satellite imagery makes it straightforward to demonstrate that commitments have been met and that environmental outcomes are tracking against targets. ### Environmental Monitoring and Land Management Environmental scientists, consultants, and government agencies rely on archive satellite imagery to observe long-term trends that (such as Sentinel-2 at 10-metre resolution) cannot resolve at the required detail. High-resolution archive data supports vegetation health assessment, coastal erosion tracking, wetland mapping, bushfire recovery analysis, and land-use change detection across seasons and years. For projects requiring sub-metre detail, such as identifying individual tree canopies, measuring erosion scarps, or delineating small water bodies, commercial archive imagery at 30 cm or 50 cm resolution is the most practical and cost-effective source. ### Infrastructure and Urban Development , engineers, and local governments use archive satellite data to monitor construction progress, verify as-built conditions, assess corridor options, and track urban expansion. Because archive imagery is already captured and indexed, it can be ordered and delivered within days. This is a significant advantage when project timelines are tight and decisions cannot wait for a new satellite pass. ### Agriculture and Land Valuation For agricultural monitoring, carbon accounting, and property due diligence, archive satellite imagery provides the temporal depth needed to assess productivity trends, quantify vegetation cover, and evaluate land condition over multiple growing seasons. This is particularly valuable in Australia, where seasonal variability and drought cycles can dramatically alter landscape appearance from one year to the next. ## Archive Imagery vs Tasking: Choosing the Right Approach One of the most common questions when is whether to use archive data or commission a new tasking acquisition. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on . The answer depends on a few practical considerations. ### When to Start with Archive Archive satellite imagery should be your default starting point. In most cases, recent high-resolution coverage already exists over your area of interest, particularly across Australia where satellite operators have been actively building dense archives. Archive is the right choice when you need historical comparisons or time-series datasets spanning months or years, when recent captures at the required resolution are already available with acceptable cloud cover, when fast turnaround matters (archive orders are typically delivered in three to five business days through a premium workflow), and when cost efficiency is a priority, since archive licensing is generally more affordable than commissioning new collections. With providers like Vantor contributing over 180,000 swath footprints across Australia in just 12 months, the probability of finding cloud-free, high-resolution archive coverage for your site is higher than ever. ### When to Use Tasking Tasking, which involves ordering a new satellite capture over a specific location and time window, is the right approach in a more limited set of circumstances. You may need tasking when no suitable archive coverage exists for your area of interest, when you require imagery from a very specific date or narrow time window, when persistent cloud cover in the archive prevents you from obtaining a usable capture, or when your project demands a particular sensor configuration, look angle, or spectral band combination that is not available in the existing catalogue. ### A Practical Rule The workflow we recommend is simple and effective. Start by searching the archive. If cloud-free, high-resolution swathes are available for the dates and location you need, order them. Most of Australia has been covered multiple times in the past twelve months, so the archive will satisfy the majority of requests. Add tasking only where archive coverage has gaps, for example persistently cloudy periods in tropical Queensland or specific timing requirements tied to project milestones. This archive-first approach saves time and money while ensuring you get the data you need as quickly as possible. ## Understanding Resolution: 30 cm and 50 cm Satellite Imagery Resolution, technically known as Ground Sample Distance (GSD), determines how much detail is visible in a satellite image. For most professional applications in Australia, the choice comes down to two tiers of . **30 cm resolution** is the finest commercially available optical satellite imagery. At this level of detail, you can identify individual vehicles, fences, small structures, stockpiles and narrow tracks. It is essential for mining operations where disturbance boundaries, rehabilitation progress, and infrastructure condition need to be measured with precision. **50 cm resolution** offers a strong balance between detail and cost. You can still identify buildings, roads, large vehicles, field boundaries, and broad vegetation structure. For environmental trend analysis, infrastructure corridor planning, and regional change detection, 50 cm imagery often provides more than sufficient detail at a lower price point. Both resolution tiers are available in the archive. The right choice depends on what you are trying to measure and the scale of the features you need to resolve. A good will help you match resolution to your project requirements so that you are not over-purchasing detail you do not need or under-purchasing for critical applications. ## Inside Albatross: Search and Order Archive Satellite Imagery with Ease is designed to make searching, evaluating, and ordering archive satellite imagery across Australia as straightforward as possible. Rather than navigating multiple provider catalogues with different interfaces and metadata standards, Albatross gives you a single platform to discover and compare available coverage. ### Vantor Archive Highlights rapidly growing satellite imagery archive is a standout resource for Australian projects. Key highlights include 30 cm and 50 cm high-resolution imagery captured within the last twelve months, more than 180,000 individual swath footprints indexed across Australia in that period, and a premium delivery workflow that gets archive orders into your hands within three to five business days. This density of recent coverage means that for the vast majority of locations in Australia, from coastal urban centres to remote outback sites, high-resolution archive imagery is already available and ready to order. ### Multi-Provider Access Beyond Vantor, Albatross also connects you to archive imagery from other , giving you the widest possible selection of dates, resolutions, and sensor types. This multi-provider approach means you are more likely to find cloud-free coverage for any given date, and you can compare options side by side before placing an order. ### How the Ordering Process Works Using Albatross to order archive satellite imagery follows a simple sequence. First, define your area of interest on the map or by uploading a boundary file. Then set your filters (date range, maximum cloud cover, minimum resolution) and browse the available swathes. Preview footprints and metadata to confirm coverage and quality. Finally, place your order and receive delivery within days. Albatross also supports configurable ordering permissions across your team. Administrators can define who is authorised to place orders and assign designated approvers who review and approve requests before they are processed. This means end users across your organisation can search the archive and submit orders independently, while maintaining the oversight and budget controls that project leads and procurement teams require. There is no need for every order to funnel through a single point of contact, which removes bottlenecks and speeds up data access across the business. ### Your Team's Satellite Imagery Data Catalogue Once imagery has been delivered, Albatross doubles as a centralised data catalogue for your organisation. All delivered datasets are indexed and accessible through the platform, allowing team members to browse, preview, and inspect imagery directly in the browser. There is no need to download large files, install specialised desktop software, or have GIS skills to view and interpret the data. Whether it is an environmental officer checking a recent capture, a project manager reviewing site progress, or a compliance lead pulling together evidence for a regulatory submission, everyone on the team can access the imagery they need without technical barriers. The platform is built for professionals who need reliable, high-resolution satellite data without the complexity of dealing directly with satellite operators or navigating opaque procurement processes. ## Common Use Cases for Archive Satellite Data in Australia Why Archive Imagery Matters Establishes what the landscape looked like before activity began, providing an objective reference for all subsequent comparisons Enables month-by-month or quarter-by-quarter visual comparison without the cost and logistics of repeated field visits or aerial surveys Delivers historic visual evidence that supports submissions under frameworks like the MRF, PRCP, and environmental impact assessments Tracks vegetation health, surface water extent, erosion, and land-use change across seasons and years at resolutions far beyond free open data Provides before-and-after imagery to quantify damage extent, guide recovery planning, and support insurance claims Confirms as-built conditions, monitors construction progress, and validates corridor alignment against design specifications Supports investment decisions with visual evidence of historical land condition, use, and surrounding context ## How Archive Satellite Imagery Fits Into Your Project Workflow Integrating archive satellite imagery into your existing workflows does not require specialist remote sensing expertise. A practical approach follows four steps. **Step 1: Define your requirements.** Determine the date range you need (last three months, six months, twelve months, or longer), the resolution tier that matches your application, and any spectral or . **Step 2: Search the archive first.** Use to discover all available high-resolution swathes from Vantor and other over your area of interest. In most cases, you will find multiple cloud-free options covering your required timeframe. **Step 3: Add tasking only where needed.** If the archive does not cover a specific date or period, for example due to persistent cloud during a wet season, place a tasking order to fill the gap. This hybrid approach gives you the best balance of speed, cost, and temporal completeness. **Step 4: Receive and integrate your data.** Archive orders are delivered in industry-standard formats compatible with GIS platforms, CAD software, and analytical workflows. The Terrabit team ensures fast turnaround and can advise on to suit your environment. --- ## Why the Archive-First Approach Is Gaining Ground in Australia The traditional model of satellite imagery procurement in Australia, where you commission a new capture and wait, is increasingly being replaced by an archive-first philosophy. Several factors are driving this shift. **Archive density has reached a tipping point.** With operators like Vantor contributing hundreds of thousands of recent, high-resolution swathes across the continent, the likelihood of finding suitable archive data for any given project is now very high. This was not the case even a few years ago, when archive catalogues were thinner and less frequently updated. **Delivery speed matters more than ever.** Project timelines are tightening across mining, infrastructure, and environmental sectors. Archive orders that arrive in three to five days, rather than the weeks or months a new tasking can take, allow teams to make faster decisions and keep projects on schedule. **Cost pressures are real.** Archive imagery is inherently more cost-effective than tasking because the data already exists. For organisations managing multiple sites or requiring frequent updates, the savings from an archive-first strategy compound quickly. **And quality has caught up.** Modern very high-resolution produce 30 cm and 50 cm imagery with excellent radiometric quality, positional accuracy, and spectral fidelity. Archive data from these sensors is not a compromise. It is professional-grade imagery that meets the demands of rigorous analytical and reporting workflows. --- ## Get Started with Archive Satellite Imagery in Australia If you are looking to , whether for , , , or any other application that benefits from a historical perspective, the archive is the smartest place to start. With Vantor's extensive recent coverage available through , alongside imagery from other leading providers, finding and ordering the right data for your area of interest has never been faster or more straightforward. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/blog/archive-satellite-imagery-australia --- ### Archive vs Tasking: The Right Satellite Image, Right on Time - Author: Simon Greig - Published: 2025-10-29 - Category: blog - Tags: Guides ## Introduction: The Right Image, Right on Time In the fast-paced world of spatial analysis, **timing is everything**. Whether you are monitoring land disturbance, supporting emergency response, or tracking infrastructure development, success often hinges on receiving the **right imagery at the right moment**. At Terrabit, one of the most common questions we field is simple: _should I use archive imagery, or should I task a fresh satellite acquisition?_ The answer depends on your objectives, timelines and budget and understanding the difference can save you both time and resources. > **Archive imagery** delivers speed and value. **Tasking** delivers currency and control. Knowing which lever to pull keeps your project on timeline. ## What Is Archive Imagery? **Archive imagery** refers to satellite captures that already exist within a provider’s catalogue. Most major satellites - such as those operated by Vantor, SIIS, Wyvern and Blacksky - maintain extensive image archives covering years of global data. - **Speed and responsiveness:** Rush deliverables arrive within hours; premium processing typically lands in a few days. - **Cost efficiency:** Pricing is lower than new taskings, making archives ideal for baselines, change detection and retrospective analysis. - **Immediate availability:** Quickly validate assumptions during proposal stages or stakeholder briefings without waiting on new captures. ### When archive imagery excels **Pre-visit reality check** Turn to archive imagery when slightly older captures still answer the brief, when you need to stretch budgets further, or when you want rapid situational awareness before heading on site. **Historical and compliance reviews** Lean on historical scenes for baseline environmental studies, tender submissions, ESG reporting and long-term asset change reviews where broader context matters more than sub-24-hour recency. ## What Is Tasking or Fresh Capture? **Tasking** (also called fresh capture), on the other hand, means commissioning a satellite constellation to capture a new image over your specific area of interest. You set the parameters - spatial resolution, cloud cover thresholds, off-nadir limits, acquisition priority and even time-of-day preferences - so the resulting scene is tailored to your brief. While tasking does come at a higher cost and requires some lead time (days to weeks before processing), it ensures the imagery is tailored exactly to your needs. - **Currency and control:** Perfect for construction progress, disaster assessment, mine rehabilitation reporting and any workflow needing the latest conditions. - **Quality assurance:** Define acceptable cloud thresholds and revisit windows, ensuring you receive usable imagery aligned to regulatory or operational standards. - **Specialised outputs:** Order stereo pairs, hyperspectral captures or targeted spectral bands to support advanced analytics across vegetation health, material identification or volumetrics. ## Balancing Urgency, Budget and Coverage Most imagery decisions boil down to three levers; **Urgency**, **Budget** and **Coverage**. Use the quick comparison below to frame your next request. Archive Imagery Tasking Delivery in hours or days for rapid assessments. Lead times of days to weeks depending on weather, orbit and priority. Lower cost makes retrospective and wide-area studies viable. Premium pricing reflects guaranteed capture and quality control. Dependent on prior satellite passes; some AOIs may lack cloud-free scenes. Configure for precise AOIs, revisit cadence and spectral products. **Use cases at a glance** - _Archive imagery:_ Baseline mapping, feasibility studies, historical compliance evidence. - _Tasking:_ Incident response, MRF reporting, construction tracking, near real-time decision support. ### Hybrid Workflows Deliver the Best of Both - **Start with archive** to validate KPIs, identify gaps and inform budgets. - **Layer in taskings** for critical assets or time-sensitive milestones. - **Monitor via tags** using Terrabit’s platform to trigger follow-up collections when thresholds or SLAs are breached. ## How Terrabit Helps You Decide At Terrabit, we guide clients through this decision every day. Our team evaluates your area of interest and use case, reviews available archive options across multiple providers and compares them against tasking feasibility and forecasted cloud conditions. This ensures you get the most efficient solution - one that aligns with your project’s objectives and timelines. With direct access to leading global satellite operators, we make it simple to move from data discovery to delivery - whether it’s a rush archive or a premium quality tasking campaign. Need to brief stakeholders? Pair this guide with the or explore live constellations on the . ## Conclusion: The Smart Choice for Time-Sensitive Projects When project timelines are tight, every hour matters. Knowing when to use archive imagery versus when to invest in a new tasking acquisition can dramatically affect both outcomes and budgets. By partnering with Terrabit, you gain access to the expertise and tools to make that choice with confidence - ensuring you always have the **right image, right on time**. Ready to unlock near real-time satellite monitoring or fine-tune your imagery procurement workflow? URL: https://terrabit.com.au/blog/archive-vs-tasking --- ### Best Sources of Satellite Imagery - How to Choose the Right One - Author: Zachary Walls - Published: 2025-11-26 - Category: blog - Tags: Guides, Satellite Imagery is at the core of modern decision-making in , , and projects. But with multiple providers and a range of resolutions, revisit rates and price points, knowing which source will deliver the most value can be a challenge. At Terrabit, we work with a select group of leading satellite operators to give our clients the best mix of cost, coverage and clarity. Here's a practical guide to the **best satellite imagery sources** we recommend - and when to use them. ## Free & Open Satellite Imagery Sources Before diving into commercial data, there are free and open imagery sources worth considering. These platforms provide global coverage at no cost and are an excellent starting point for early-stage projects, historical analysis, or when you need a quick visual reference before committing to higher-resolution commercial options. – The European Space Agency's flagship Earth observation program offers 10m optical imagery (Sentinel-2) and radar data (Sentinel-1), with imagery captured every 5 days globally. The deep archive and consistent acquisition make it ideal for regional-scale monitoring and long-term trend analysis. – The longest-running satellite imagery program, with an archive stretching back to the 1980s. At 15m (panchromatic) to 30m (multispectral) resolution, Landsat is invaluable for historical change detection and understanding how landscapes have evolved over decades. – Global satellite and aerial imagery, easily accessible for visual site assessments, preliminary planning and historical comparisons. While not suitable for professional analysis, it's a quick way to orient yourself before requesting commercial data. Sentinel-2 imagery comparison (2020 vs 2025) - free open data enables long-term change analysis at regional scale. Imagery courtesy of ESA/Copernicus. **Use these for:** - Large-area mapping and baseline assessments - Historical change analysis - High-level site reconnaissance and rapid location checks - Visual storytelling or presentations **Limitations:** - Typically lower resolution than commercial imagery, so not suitable for detailed site monitoring or engineering-level accuracy - Update frequency varies (especially for Google Earth) - Cannot task specific captures - Licensing restrictions limit commercial or operational use - notably with Google Maps > **Tip:** Start with these free sources for early-stage use cases or visual reference, then move to as project needs require. ## Vantor - The Benchmark for Very High Resolution **WorldView-3** and **Legion** satellites offer the most comprehensive 30cm constellation capturing imagery at **30cm resolution**, delivering some of the sharpest commercial data available at an intra-daily cadence. They also offer **50cm products** and one of the largest very-high-resolution archives - ideal for tracking change over time. With decades of and the ability to capture at sub-meter resolution multiple times per day, Vantor is the go-to choice for projects demanding maximum clarity and positional accuracy. Whether you're designing a new mine pit, classifying vegetation communities, or documenting compliance for regulators, Vantor's imagery provides the level of detail that stands up to scrutiny. Beyond resolution, Vantor's constellation offers impressive spectral capabilities. **WorldView-3** captures **16 bands including 8 SWIR (shortwave infrared) bands at 3.7m resolution**, making it uniquely suited for mineral identification and geological mapping. **WorldView-2** and the **Legion constellation** provide **8 multispectral bands**, which are particularly effective for vegetation mapping, land cover classification and environmental monitoring. 30cm resolution enables identification of individual vehicles, stockpiles and infrastructure changes. Imagery courtesy of Vantor. - Best for: Detailed mine design, vegetation classification, port or infrastructure monitoring and compliance monitoring. - Strengths: Exceptional image clarity, largest 30cm constellation, high positional accuracy and a vast archive for time-series analysis. - Considerations: Premium pricing - best used when maximum detail and precision are required. ## SIIS / KOMPSAT – Cost Effective All-Weather Monitoring provides access to the **KOMPSAT constellation**, offering both high-resolution optical imagery and versatile Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data. This makes it a powerful solution for continuous monitoring of active sites, infrastructure and environmental projects - even in cloudy conditions or at night. For organisations that need reliable, repeatable coverage without premium pricing, KOMPSAT strikes an excellent balance. The combination of optical and SAR sensors means you can maintain monitoring schedules even during wet seasons or in tropical regions where cloud cover often disrupts optical-only programs. - KOMPSAT-3: 50cm panchromatic / 2m multispectral - ideal for detailed site-level monitoring - KOMPSAT-3A: 40cm panchromatic / 1.6m multispectral - very high-resolution optical coverage - KOMPSAT-5: SAR with multiple modes, from **1m Spotlight** for fine detail to **20m Wide Swath** for regional coverage Comparison: Sentinel-2 (left) vs KOMPSAT-3 (right) over Gladstone - demonstrating the step-up in detail from free to commercial imagery. KOMPSAT imagery courtesy of KARI / SI Imaging Services (SIIS). - Best for: Regular monitoring of mines, vegetation health, linear infrastructure (rail, road, pipelines) and projects requiring reliable, repeatable imagery. - Strengths: Flexible combination of optical and radar data, consistent image quality and dependable tasking for routine monitoring campaigns. - Considerations: Lower optical resolution compared with Vantor and lacking a notable archive, but adaptable for all-weather operations. KOMPSAT-3 time-series comparison (2024 vs 2025) - reliable repeat coverage for change detection. Imagery courtesy of KARI / SI Imaging Services (SIIS). ## BlackSky – High Revisit, Rapid Delivery operates a constellation focused on **monitoring** at ~**1m resolution** from **Gen-2 (12) satellites** and **35cm** from the **Gen-3 (2) satellites**, delivering imagery often within hours of capture. This makes it ideal for time-sensitive operations and operational intelligence. When speed matters more than maximum resolution, BlackSky delivers. With up to 15 revisits per day at mid-latitudes and imagery delivered within hours of capture, it's the ideal choice for tracking fast-moving situations - whether that's construction progress, incident response, or operational activity at ports and logistics hubs. The new Gen-3 satellites now bring 35cm resolution to the constellation, closing the gap with traditional very-high-resolution providers. Consecutive day captures over Port Hedland demonstrate BlackSky's high-frequency revisit capability. © 2025 BlackSky Technology Inc. All Rights Reserved. - Best for: Rapid change detection, incident response, construction monitoring and operational activity tracking. - Strengths: Very high revisit frequency, fast delivery and strong temporal coverage for continuous monitoring. - Considerations: Slightly coarser resolution than Vantor or KOMPSAT, but perfect for identifying where change occurs rapidly before following up with higher-resolution imagery. ## Wyvern - Unlocking Hyperspectral Insights provides **hyperspectral imagery**, enabling detection of subtle spectral signatures beyond standard optical sensors. This capability supports advanced analysis of minerals, vegetation and environmental changes. Unlike traditional optical satellites that capture a handful of spectral bands, Wyvern's Dragonette constellation captures data across 23 or 31 narrow spectral bands. This rich spectral information allows analysts to detect things invisible to the human eye - from subtle mineral signatures that guide exploration, to early vegetation stress that indicates irrigation problems or disease, to water quality indicators that track algal blooms and sediment loads. - Best for: Exploration geology, mineral mapping, vegetation stress and classifications. - Strengths: Rich spectral detail, unlocking insights beyond RGB or basic multispectral imagery. - Considerations: Still emerging technology - coverage and solutions continue to evolve as new satellites are deployed. RGB (top left), false-colour infrared (top right), PCA analysis (bottom left) and Red Edge decorrelation (bottom right). Imagery courtesy of Wyvern; processed by the Terrabit team. ## Choosing the Right Satellite Imagery: Key Trade-Offs No single provider or sensor does it all - choosing the right is about balancing trade-offs that align with your project requirements and budget. The key is understanding what you're trying to achieve. A engineer tracking pit development might prioritise resolution and positional accuracy, while an emergency manager responding to a bushfire needs the fastest possible delivery regardless of whether it's 35cm or 1m. An scientist building a 10-year change detection study might value archive depth over cutting-edge resolution. - Resolution vs. revisit rate: Very high-resolution imagery (Vantor) may not be available as frequently as high-revisit constellations like BlackSky. - Capture date: Is archive data sufficient or do you need fresh capture? - Coverage area: Large areas vs. small, high-value sites. - Cost: Match image quality and frequency to project use case and budget. ## Why a Multi-Source Approach Wins The most effective projects don't rely on a single satellite provider - they blend multiple sources to optimise for cost, coverage and capability. For example, a mining operation might use Sentinel-2 for broad regional context, KOMPSAT for routine monthly monitoring across the full lease, Vantor for quarterly high-resolution compliance captures, and BlackSky for rapid response when an incident or significant change is detected. This layered approach ensures you're never over-paying for resolution you don't need, while still having access to premium data when it matters. - Vantor for detailed measurements, monitoring large scale and compliance documentation - SIIS for cost effective, all-weather coverage - BlackSky for rapid captures and operational awareness - Wyvern for advanced spectral insights This mix keeps costs manageable while ensuring you have the right level of detail at the right time. Resolution Revisit Strengths Best For 30cm / 50cm Intra-daily Exceptional clarity, large archive Detailed monitoring, compliance 40–50cm 4-5 per week All-weather, optical & SAR Routine monitoring, linear infrastructure 1m / 35cm Hours Rapid delivery, high revisit Incident response, construction tracking Hyperspectral 4-5 per week Rich spectral info Mineral mapping, vegetation stress ## The Terrabit Advantage Terrabit partners with **Vantor, SIIS, BlackSky and Wyvern** to give clients access to the world's most capable satellite imagery sources. Our vendor-neutral approach ensures you get the right data for your project - not just what one provider happens to sell. Based in Brisbane, our team understands the unique challenges of Australian projects - from the remote Pilbara to tropical Queensland and everything in between. We handle the complexity of satellite tasking, data processing and delivery so you can focus on what matters: turning imagery into actionable insights. We help you into your workflows, so you can focus on insights, not pixels. **Ready to optimise your imagery sourcing?** Connect with the Terrabit team - we'll help you build a smarter, more efficient imagery strategy. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/blog/best-sources-of-satellite-imagery --- ### Terrabit Expands Rapid Monitoring with BlackSky - Author: Simon Greig - Published: 2025-11-18 - Category: announcements - Tags: Partnerships, News Terrabit is pleased to announce a new partnership with real-time, space-based intelligence company BlackSky. This collaboration strengthens our ability to deliver frequent, near-real-time imagery for monitoring assets, operations and environments worldwide. ## What This Means for You ### Constellation power - Gen-2 satellites (80cm at nadir) provide quality, reliable coverage for broad-area monitoring. - Gen-3 satellites (35cm at nadir) unlock very high-resolution detail over your most critical locations. ### High-frequency access Up to 15 revisits per day at mid-latitudes means near-real-time change detection and rapid confirmation of on-the-ground activity. ### Timely delivery Receive imagery within hours of capture. Need additional processing? Premium products arrive within days, ready for deeper analysis. Frequent, high-resolution captures power reliable global operations monitoring. © 2025 BlackSky Technology Inc. All Rights Reserved. ### Ideal Use Cases for Rapid Monitoring - : Near-daily monitoring of haul roads, pits and stockpiles to detect change and plan operations with confidence. - : Track construction progress, logistics flows and access routes with the speed needed to respond. - & : Detect encroachments, monitor disasters or assess vegetation and water quality. - : Rapid imagery turnarounds to monitor active fire fronts and respond in hours-not days. ### Turning Data into Decisions Data drives better decisions - but only when it is accessible and actionable. BlackSky delivers analysis-ready satellite imagery, and Terrabit’s Albatross platform makes it seamless to task, receive and integrate high-resolution datasets into your enterprise workflows. - Simple tasking: Define your Area of Interest (AOI) and capture schedule through our web platform. Track capture progress in real time and receive instant notifications when your imagery is ready. - Flexible delivery: Access newly captured data in your Data Catalog immediately upon receipt, based on your preferred processing level. View Cloud Optimised GeoTIFFs (COGs) directly in the platform for visual analysis, then download or stream via WMTS for seamless integration into your GIS and enterprise systems. ### Get Started Start by specifying your area of interest and use case. Our team can work with you on a custom product and solution, or our platform-guided workflow can help determine the ideal update frequency and resolution before building a customised BlackSky monitoring plan aligned to your operational timelines and mission goals. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/blog/blacksky-and-terrabit-partnership --- ### COG vs GeoTIFF vs ECW vs WMTS: Which Format is Best? - Author: Simon Greig - Published: 2026-01-28 - Category: blog - Tags: Guides In geospatial workflows, the format you choose is more than a technical detail - it directly impacts how fast your maps load, how efficiently your analytics run and how much storage space you need as your data archive grows. Whether you're working with , or multi-temporal datasets, the balance between performance, storage and accessibility depends heavily on file format. From cloud-optimised analytics to high-speed visualisation, understanding the differences between COG, GeoTIFF, ECW and WMTS ensures your data performs where it matters most. ## What is GeoTIFF? **GeoTIFF** has long been the universal open standard for georeferenced raster data. It's widely supported across GIS, remote sensing and analytics platforms - from ArcGIS and QGIS to Python and cloud environments. **Advantages:** - Embedded georeferencing and rich metadata support - Compatible with almost all GIS or remote sensing tools - Supports multiple bit depths (8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit integer and floating point) **Limitations:** - Large file sizes - No built-in pyramids - Must be completely downloaded before viewing or analysis **Best for:** Offline analysis and scientific workflows ## What is a COG? (Cloud-Optimised GeoTIFF) The **Cloud-Optimised GeoTIFF (COG)** format is a modern evolution of GeoTIFF - designed for fast, cloud-native access. It allows for partial reads so users can access only the tiles or resolutions they need, without downloading entire datasets. Platforms like use COGs to deliver imagery to users quickly and efficiently. **Advantages:** - Optimised for the cloud, stream imagery directly from cloud storage (AWS, GCP, Azure etc.) - Tiled structure and internal pyramid layers enable efficient access even for local use - Maintains compatibility with legacy GeoTIFF readers, the files created are still valid GeoTIFF files - Quickly becoming the standard for cloud-based geospatial data, with strong community support and adoption by major platforms **Limitations:** - Larger file size than wavelet compressed formats such as ECW (typically 8:1 compression vs ECW's 15:1) - Requires COG-optimised tools and software for optimal speed and support **Best for:** Web maps and dashboards streaming imagery to a small number of users and cloud-based analytics ## What is ECW? (Enhanced Compressed Wavelet) **ECW** is a high-performance, proprietary format created in Australia for fast display and compact storage. It's particularly effective when working with massive mosaics or operating in environments where bandwidth is limited. **Advantages:** - Highly efficient compression (often 15:1) while maintaining decent visual quality resulting in smaller files - Quick panning and zooming due to multi-resolution overviews that are built into the file format - Well suited for desktop GIS and offline field use, particularly for and teams **Limitations:** - ECW is a proprietary format and file generation requires a paid license and read functionality requires usage of the ECW SDK - Not able to be streamed without using proprietary software (Hexagon Apollo) - Limited software support, some open-source tools have incomplete or no ECW support due to licensing issues **Best for:** Desktop mapping, and high-speed access in storage limited environments ECW's wavelet compression achieves smaller file sizes than COG while maintaining visual quality for most use cases. SpaceEye-T imagery courtesy of KARI / SIIS; processed by Terrabit. ## What is WMTS? (Web Map Tile Service) **WMTS** isn't a file format but a web service standard for streaming tiled map imagery. Imagery is pre-rendered into small PNG or JPEG tiles - making it ideal for dashboards, portals and online maps. **Advantages:** - Fast display and scalable for web users - Compatible with most online mapping platforms (ArcGIS Online, Mapbox, Leaflet and OpenLayers) - Efficient bandwidth usage as the service will only send imagery over the requested area - Frequently viewed tiles are cached by the server to improve response time **Limitations:** - Higher cost as it requires tile serving infrastructure and software (can be self-hosted with open source software or a SaaS product such as ArcGIS Online) - Analysis ready data (higher bit depth) is streamed as uncompressed TIFF tiles and is not supported by all software **Best for:** Web maps, dashboards and interactive applications used by a large number of users Dodger Stadium in RGB and Colour Infrared (CIR). Different band combinations serve different analysis needs - all can be delivered in your preferred format. SpaceEye-T imagery courtesy of KARI (Korean Aerospace Research Institute) / SI Imaging Services (SIIS); processed by the Terrabit team. ## Format Comparison Images For a closer look at the differences, here are images showing the same satellite imagery in all three raster formats. Look for the subtle variations due to the compression which can introduce small artefacts and add a small amount of noise. For more on how is captured and delivered, see our introductory guide. Large-scale comparison showing the same scene in GeoTIFF, COG and ECW formats. SpaceEye-T imagery courtesy of KARI (Korean Aerospace Research Institute) / SI Imaging Services (SIIS); processed by the Terrabit team. ### More Comparisons The visual impact of compression varies with image content. SpaceEye-T imagery courtesy of KARI / SIIS; processed by Terrabit. Note the trade-offs between the compression ratio achieved and image quality. SpaceEye-T imagery courtesy of KARI / SIIS; processed by Terrabit. ## Terrabit Format Quick Guide Recommended Format Why Access Type WMTS Fast visualisation and scalability Online (web service) COG Streamable and analysis-ready Online (cloud storage) or Offline ECW Compact and fast display Offline GeoTIFF Highly compatible Offline > **Terrabit Tip:** Most clients benefit from a hybrid approach - COGs for analysis and viewing, WMTS for dashboards and ECW for distribution to teams in the field. Learn more about to meet your specific requirements. ## File Size Comparison Storage and bandwidth costs add up quickly when working with large imagery archives. The chart below shows typical file sizes for 30cm GSD imagery covering 100 square kilometres. For guidance on selecting the right imagery for your needs, see our . ## How Terrabit Optimises Data for Performance Terrabit delivers imagery in the format that best suits your workflow - whether you need full-resolution analysis, rapid cloud access or lightweight web streaming. We work with leading to source the best data for your project. Our geospatial delivery pipeline includes: - **COG conversion** for cloud-optimised imagery access and display - **High-performance ECW compression** for fast download and sharing - **GeoTIFFs** for cross-platform compatibility with ArcGIS, QGIS, MapInfo etc. We ensure your data is available when it matters most - analysis, decision-making and reporting. ## Conclusion: The Right Format for the Job In today's data-driven world, no single imagery format fits every use case. **COGs** lead the way in analytics and flexibility, **WMTS** powers dashboards and web applications, **ECW** excels in compact delivery and **GeoTIFF** remains the standard format for high compatibility. Choosing the right format means balancing speed, accessibility and understanding your use case - and that's where Terrabit helps. Whether you're sourcing , we ensure your data arrives in the format that works best for your team. We deliver your data in the most efficient form for your operations, ensuring it's always ready for actionable insights. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/blog/cog-geotiff-ecw-wmts-comparison --- ### Commercial vs. Free Satellite Data: What's Right for Your Project? - Author: Simon Greig - Published: 2025-10-03 - Category: blog - Tags: Guides ## Introduction: Satellite Data – Your Eyes in the Sky Satellite imagery has changed how businesses and communities monitor assets, track change and make informed decisions remotely from hundreds of kilometres in the sky. From assessing infrastructure corridors to planning a new mine, the insights from above are now fundamental to many workflows. With so many sensors and price points available, the question becomes: when is free, open-source satellite data enough and when should you invest in commercial imagery? This guide clarifies the strengths of both so you can choose the best-fit solution for your operations. ## Free Satellite Data: Empowering Earth Observation Free and open-source satellite programmes-such as ESA's Copernicus Sentinel constellation, NASA/USGS Landsat missions, or data from Google Earth-have made Earth observation imagery accessible to anyone with an internet connection. These resources underpin academic research, startup innovation and public policy initiatives alike. ### Key contributions & ideal applications - **Accessibility & cost-effectiveness:** Completely free to access and use, removing financial barriers for startups, researchers and teams with constrained budgets. That means more resources can be directed to analysis and product development instead of data acquisition. - **Broad area monitoring:** Medium-resolution imagery-10 m for Sentinel, 30 m for Landsat-is ideal for large-area assessments. Think broadscale deforestation studies, urban growth mapping or regional climate impact analysis. - **Extensive historical archives:** Continuous datasets spanning decades enable long-term trend analysis and retrospective investigations. Landsat 7, launched in 1999, still contributes to a decades-deep archive, while Sentinel-1A (2014) and Sentinel-2A (2015) add modern, high-frequency coverage. - **Diverse spectral information:** Multiple spectral bands beyond visible light support foundational analytics such as vegetation health indices (NDVI), land-cover classification and water quality assessments without additional licensing. Wyvern’s multispectral demos below show how different band combinations surface vegetation vigour-insights providing enhanced resolution compared to free alternatives. Wyvern multispectral composites reveal vegetation health and urban change through varied band combinations. Imagery courtesy of Wyvern. ### Considerations before relying on free data for commercial decisions - **Resolution limitations:** Coarser pixels aren’t suited to identifying small objects or precise rehabilitation areas, limiting asset-by-asset analysis. - **Fixed acquisition schedules:** Predetermined overpasses-5–6 days for Sentinel, ~8 days for the combined Landsat mission-mean you can’t capture unexpected events on demand. - **Cloud interference:** Optical imagery can’t penetrate cloud cover, so in humid or tropical climates it may take weeks (or longer) for a cloud-free acquisition. - **No on-demand tasking:** Only commercial providers let you direct a satellite to image a specific AOI at a chosen time, so urgent compliance checks or incident response may require paid options. Many teams also turn to Google Earth for quick context. It’s a great viewer-but it differs in important ways from licensed, taskable satellite imagery. ### Google Earth vs. Commercial Satellite Imagery Google Earth is a powerful, free visualisation platform-but it isn’t a source of taskable, analysis-ready satellite data. It aggregates imagery from many providers (including satellite and aerial photography) into mosaics optimised for viewing. That makes it great for familiarisation and storytelling, but there are important differences compared to licensed commercial imagery: ### What Google Earth is and isn’t - **Aggregated, view-optimised mosaics:** Imagery is blended to look seamless; capture dates and sensors vary tile-to-tile. It’s not a single, consistent dataset suitable for precise measurement. - **Mixed sources:** High-resolution areas often rely on aerial photography rather than satellites, while remote regions may use medium-resolution satellite coverage. Quality and recency vary. - **Highly compressed imagery and outdated coverage:** Imagery in Google Earth is typically highly compressed to optimise streaming and viewing, which reduces image quality and detail. It also does not typically provide up-to-date imagery, making it unsuitable for precision monitoring of assets or time-sensitive analysis. - **Usage rights:** Google’s Terms of Service limit downloading, redistribution and many commercial uses of the imagery. It’s generally not licensed for audit, compliance evidence or derivative geospatial products without additional permissions. - **No tasking or SLAs:** You can’t request new captures, set cloud thresholds, or guarantee revisit times. Updates are periodic and opaque. ### Practical implications for projects - **Precision and measurements:** Mosaicking and varying georeferencing can introduce positional differences. For asset monitoring, volumetrics or change detection that require consistent orthorectification, commercial imagery is the safer choice. - **Timeliness and provenance:** Google Earth doesn’t provide acquisition SLAs or formal provenance trails suitable for regulatory submissions. Commercial providers deliver dated imagery with certificates and consistent processing. - **Licensing and deliverables:** If you need analysis-ready files (orthos, pansharpened products, stereo pairs) that you can store, process and share internally, commercial licenses explicitly permit this and define usage. ### When to use each - **Use Google Earth** for quick context, site familiarisation, stakeholder presentations and early scoping-especially when you don’t need precise measurements or guaranteed update cadence. - **Choose commercial imagery** for decision-critical tasks: asset-by-asset monitoring, compliance reporting, construction progress, emergency response or analytics that demand high resolution, documented provenance and custom acquisition. ## Commercial Satellite Data: Precision, Timeliness and High Quality When projects require detailed, accurate and timely insight, commercial satellite imagery delivers clarity that free datasets can’t match. Terrabit works with leading operators to tailor acquisitions, process deliveries and embed analytics directly into your decision cycles. ### The distinct advantages of commercial data - **Unmatched detail (spatial resolution):** High and very high-resolution sensors (down to 30 cm and even 15 cm HD) enable precise asset monitoring-tracking haul roads, spotting equipment, validating construction progress and running reliable volumetrics. - **Extensive high-resolution historical archives:** Sub-metre catalogues-often dating back to around 2005-help establish baselines, prove compliance and understand past site conditions with dated evidence. - **Timeliness & on-demand acquisition (temporal resolution):** Task satellites for new captures within defined time windows, specify cloud thresholds and request priority. Rapid revisit rates mean updates often arrive within days for disturbance tracking, disaster response or milestone documentation. - **Advanced spectral insights & analytics:** Beyond common bands, many commercial constellations offer unique spectral capabilities and analysis-ready products, supporting vegetation species differentiation, material identification and complex change analysis. - **Guaranteed quality & expert processing:** Large AOIs, multi-strip mosaics and custom coordinate control benefit from Terrabit’s specialist processing-orthorectification, atmospheric correction and delivery in the formats your team needs. - **Reduced in-house expertise needed:** User-friendly platforms, like that from Terrabit, APIs and Terrabit’s support reduce the requirement for deep GIS or remote sensing skills inside your organisation. ### Visualising the difference Top: medium-resolution Sentinel-2 provides regional context. Bottom: 40 cm KOMPSAT imagery unlocks infrastructure detail for asset monitoring. Imagery courtesy of SI Imaging Services (SIIS). ### Tailoring acquisitions to your timeline Commercial tasking lets you define revisit cadence, acceptable cloud thresholds, off-nadir limits and acquisition priority. Combining clear briefs with multi-satellite constellations ensures you capture the right resolution precisely when you need it-whether for dynamic disturbance monitoring, emergency response or large-scale project tracking. ## Making the Right Choice for Your Project Both free and commercial satellite data deliver value-each excels in different situations: - Use **free data** for broad overviews, initial research, academic studies or general environmental monitoring where medium resolution and historical depth answer the question. - Choose **commercial imagery** for detailed asset management, time-sensitive milestones, compliance reporting or bespoke analytics that demand higher resolution, reliable cadence and customised delivery. Terrabit specialises in navigating these complexities. Whether you need guidance on the ideal sensor and resolution, assistance sourcing historical archives or support applying advanced processing, we’ll help you build the right imagery mix. With expert advice and the optimal data in hand, you can make better-informed decisions and deliver stronger outcomes. Ready to explore how high-quality satellite imagery can transform your operations? Visit the page, browse active constellations on the hub or today. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/blog/commercial-vs-free-satellite-data --- ### How to Buy Satellite Imagery - a Complete Guide - Author: Zachary Walls - Published: 2025-09-09 - Category: blog - Tags: Guides Buying in Australia can feel overwhelming. Between dozens of sensors, resolutions ranging from meters to centimetres, licensing rules and complex file formats, it’s easy to get lost in the details. The good news? You don’t need to be a remote sensing expert to make the right choice. Whether you’re monitoring crops, planning infrastructure, exploring for minerals, or managing the environment, the right satellite data can save time, reduce costs and give you insights you can’t get any other way. At Terrabit, we work with the world’s leading satellite operators to make the process simple. Instead of sifting through technical specs and endless data archives, we help you match the right sensor, resolution and acquisition plan to your project - so you get the data you need, when you need it, in a format that’s ready to use. ## Use Cases: Why Organisations in Australia Buy Satellite Imagery Satellite imagery isn’t just about pretty pictures from space - it’s about making faster, smarter decisions on the ground. In Australia, where vast distances and challenging terrain make fieldwork expensive, remote sensing delivers enormous value. From identifying surface mineral signatures to monitoring disturbance and tailings dams, satellite data is a powerful tool for the resources sector. Mining companies use very high-resolution imagery to track activity across their leases, confirm rehabilitation progress and manage environmental compliance. Hyperspectral imagery can even detect subtle mineralogical variations to guide exploration, providing insights before committing to costly ground sampling. Government agencies, consultancies and NGOs rely on satellites to track vegetation health, water quality and land use change. With archive imagery going back decades, it’s possible to measure long-term change at scale - whether it’s mangrove loss, bushfire planning/recovery, water body loss, or urban expansion. Beyond natural resource industries, infrastructure projects use imagery for corridor planning, monitoring urban growth and validating construction progress - all without costly site visits. At Terrabit, we see clients from all these industries adopting satellite imagery not because it’s “nice to have,” but because it reduces risk, improves accuracy and often replaces weeks of on-ground work. We also support and initiatives requiring consistent monitoring. ## Resolution: How Much Detail Do You Really Need? One of the first questions people ask is: _“What resolution should I choose?”_ Resolution, often called **Ground Sample Distance (GSD)**, refers to the size of the smallest feature a satellite can detect. In simple terms, it’s about how much detail you’ll see in the image. Here’s how the most common options compare: **30cm resolution (very high resolution)** - You can clearly see **vehicles, fences, individual trees and site infrastructure**. - Essential for **mining operations** where you need to track disturbance and rehabilitation, stockpiles or construction activity. - Useful for **infrastructure planning** where fine details matter - e.g checking road alignments or small building footprints. **50cm resolution (high resolution)** - A cost-effective alternative to 30cm if you don’t need quite as much detail. A deeper archive and history in the remote sensing world. - Still allows you to identify **field boundaries, large vehicles and vegetation structure**. - Often used in **agriculture** for crop monitoring or **environmental projects** where broader context is more important than the finest detail. **10m resolution (medium resolution)** - Ideal for **regional-scale monitoring** where you’re looking for patterns, not objects. - At 10m, you can detect changes in **vegetation health, water bodies or land use** over very large areas. - Common in **environmental monitoring** (e.g wetland mapping, bushfire impact studies) and **broadacre agriculture** (e.g seasonal crop stress analysis). **The takeaway:** higher resolution isn’t always better. It comes down to **what you’re trying to use the data for**. A mining engineer, monitoring pit development may need 30cm imagery, while an environmental scientist tracking vegetation change across a national park will get better value from 10m. At Terrabit, we work with you to balance resolution, coverage and cost. So you're not 'over' or 'under' purchasing for your project. Side-by-side: Very high-resolution KOMPSAT (left) vs free Sentinel-2 data (right) – object-level monitoring versus regional pattern analysis. Imagery courtesy of KARI (Korean Aerospace Research Institute) / SI Imaging Services. ## Accuracy & Orthorectification: Why Aligned Images Matter Not all satellite images are created equal. Some look great but won’t line up perfectly with your previous imagery or GPS data. That’s where **orthorectification** comes in. **What is orthorectification?** Think of it as “straightening” and aligning the image. Raw satellite pictures can be distorted by the angle of the satellite or the elevation of the terrain. Orthorectification corrects those distortions so the imagery lines up accurately with real-world coordinates. **When does accuracy matter most?** - **Mining & infrastructure:** If you’re overlaying imagery with survey data or engineering drawings, positional accuracy is critical. A misaligned road or pit boundary could throw off your planning. - **Agriculture:** For broadacre farming, a small offset isn’t a big deal. But if you’re using imagery to guide precision equipment, accuracy matters. - **Environment:** For long-term monitoring, consistency is key. Having imagery that lines up year after year means you can trust your change detection results. **Do you always need it?** Not necessarily. If you just want to check seasonal crop health, raw imagery might be fine. If you’re making measurements or integrating with GIS layers, orthorectified data is worth the extra step. At Terrabit, we deliver imagery that’s **fit for purpose**. If your project needs high positional accuracy, we’ll make sure your imagery is orthorectified and work with your previous data or control. If it doesn’t, we won’t oversell you - you’ll get what’s best for your workflow. Orthorectification removes geometric distortions so multi-date imagery lines up for reliable change analysis. Imagery courtesy of KARI / SI Imaging Services. ## Archive vs Tasking: Historical Images or Fresh Captures? When you buy satellite imagery, you’ve usually got two options: **archive** (existing imagery that’s already been captured) or **tasking** (asking a satellite to capture something new). Both have their place - it just depends on your project. ### Quick Comparison Archive Imagery Tasking a Satellite Previously collected scenes already in the provider’s catalogue A new capture scheduled over your Area of Interest (AOI) Hours–days (immediate availability) Depends on revisit + weather (days–weeks) Lower (no new acquisition required) Higher (capacity reserved, acquisition risk managed) Limited: you take what exists (date, cloud %, off‑nadir) High: specify timing window, cloud %, priority, off‑nadir tolerance Excellent (multi‑year lookback) Not applicable (future‑focused) May be weeks–years old Most current possible Baselines, change detection, environmental history, feasibility Monitoring programs, project milestones, time‑critical events ### Archive Imagery Think of this as the “back catalogue.” Many satellites have years (sometimes decades) of coverage. Great for establishing baselines, building multi-year time series and validating historical change. Benefits: - **Fast delivery** – often available within hours or a couple of days. - **Cost‑effective** – you’re licensing data that already exists. - **Historical insight** – enables long‑term change detection (seasonal, annual, multi‑year trends). Example: An environmental team evaluating land‑clearing trends might pull a 5‑year archive time series instead of waiting months for multiple new acquisitions. ### Tasking a Satellite This is booking acquisition capacity for a fresh capture over your AOI within a defined time window. Benefits: - **Up‑to‑date** – delivers the most recent possible view. - **Control** – you can set cloud cover tolerance, timing constraints, off‑nadir / look angle limits and acquisition priority. - **Critical projects** – ideal for mining, infrastructure, agriculture or emergency response where conditions change quickly. Example: A mine operator tasks monthly very high‑resolution imagery to track construction progress against schedule and budget. ### Which Should You Choose? - Choose **Archive** when you need speed, historical depth or cost efficiency. - Choose **Tasking** when you need guaranteed coverage, recency tied to milestones, or specific acquisition parameters. Often the optimal (and most economical) approach is a blend: use archive imagery first to understand the past, then layer in a tasking cadence to stay current. > Tip: Start by defining the business question (baseline change? near‑real‑time progress? compliance evidence?)-the answer usually makes the archive vs tasking balance obvious. At Terrabit, we help clients model that balance so you’re not over‑paying for recency where it isn’t needed-or missing critical updates where it is. ## Cloud Cover & Revisit Rates: Why Satellites Don’t Always Get It Right First Time One of the biggest surprises for first-time buyers is that you don’t always get a clear shot on the first try. Clouds, shadows, haze, snow - they can all get in the way. **Cloud cover** - Even the best optical satellites can’t see through clouds. If your area is in the tropics, or you’re looking during the wet season, you may need multiple attempts before you get a cloud-free image. - For projects where clarity is critical (like construction monitoring), the best results come from setting a low cloud-cover tolerance and working with a constellation that offers high revisit rates. **Revisit rates** - This is how often a satellite can pass over your location. Some satellites only have overpasses every few days, while big constellations can try multiple times a day. - More satellites = more chances to capture your site without clouds. **Managing expectations** - **Mining:** If you need a monthly update, we’ll recommend satellites with high revisit rates so you’re not left waiting. - **Agriculture:** Timing is everything. Scheduling tasking around critical growth stages means better insights - but you’ll still need to factor in cloud risk. - **Environment:** For long-term monitoring, missing one capture isn’t the end of the world, because the big picture comes from many images over time. At Terrabit, we set realistic expectations from the start. We’ll tell you upfront how often your area of interest can be captured, what the cloud risks are and build in backup options so you don’t get stuck waiting weeks for a clear image. ## Licensing & Usage Rights: What You Can (and Can’t) Do with Your Imagery When you buy satellite imagery, you’re not actually “owning” the data - you’re licensing the right to use it. For most projects, that’s all you need, but it’s important to understand the basics so there are no surprises later. **The essentials** - **Standard licence:** You can use the imagery inside your organisation for analysis, reporting, and decision-making. - **Sharing:** Want to share it with a contractor or partner? Usually fine - but wider distribution (like publishing online or selling it) may need extra permissions. - **Time limits:** Most licences don’t expire, but some providers have restrictions on how long the data can be used for commercial projects. **Why it matters** - **Mining:** If you’re working with external consultants, you’ll want to be sure they’re covered under your licence. - **Agriculture:** If you’re supplying data to growers or agronomists, make sure usage rights extend down the chain. - **Environment:** Public reports and research often need imagery cleared for publication - something to confirm before you buy. At Terrabit, we cut through the fine print and make sure the licence matches how you actually plan to use the imagery. No nasty surprises, just clarity from the start. Explore product delivery options on our page or review active constellations on the page. ## Formats & Delivery: What You Actually Get When you buy satellite imagery, one of the first questions is: "What do you actually receive?' File types, ease of use and pre-processing can make a big difference in how quickly you can turn data into decisions. **File types & compatibility** \ Common formats include COG, ECW, GeoTIFF, JPEG2000 and shapefiles. These are widely supported in GIS software, so you won’t get stuck converting files before you can start working. **Analysis-ready vs raw** \ Some projects need imagery that’s ready to go - orthorectified, calibrated and pre-processed - so you can jump straight into measurement or modelling. Other projects may prefer raw data, giving full control over your own processing workflow. The takeaway: the way imagery is delivered matters almost as much as the imagery itself. Providers like Terrabit focus on formats and delivery options that suit your workflow, letting you spend less time on files and more time on insights. ## Pricing: What Drives the Cost of Satellite Imagery One question we hear a lot is: _“How much does high-resolution satellite imagery cost?”_ The answer isn’t fixed - it depends on a few practical factors. - **Resolution:** Finer detail costs more. A 30cm image showing vehicles and fences will be pricier than a 50cm image of the same area and much more than a 10m regional view. - **Area & Coverage:** The bigger the area you want to capture, the higher the cost. - **Archive vs Tasking:** Buying existing archive imagery is usually cheaper than tasking a satellite to capture something new, especially if you need it at a specific time. - **Frequency & Satellites:** If you need frequent updates, or want multiple satellites covering your site to avoid cloud delays, prices can increase. - **Processed vs Raw Data:** Imagery that’s ready-to-use (orthorectified, calibrated, or analysis-ready) can cost more than raw files but it saves you time. At Terrabit, we help you balance these factors so you get the imagery you need without paying for features you don’t. Often, a mix of archive and tasking, paired with the right resolution, gives the best value. Learn more about ordering workflows on the product page. ## Bringing It All Together Buying satellite imagery in Australia doesn’t need to be complicated. By thinking about resolution, accuracy, timing, licensing and delivery formats upfront, you can choose data that actually meets your project needs - without wasting time or money. The right imagery can help you monitor operations, track environmental change or make informed decisions faster than traditional surveys ever could. And while there are lots of options out there, working with a partner who understands your workflow can make all the difference. At Terrabit, we help organisations navigate the choices, balance cost and quality and get data that’s ready to use - so you spend less time researching options, managing files and more time turning insights into action. Start exploring active satellites on our page or request tailored guidance via the product portal. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/blog/complete-guide-to-buying-satellite-imagery --- ### Digital Elevation Models from Satellite Imagery: What They Are and How to Use Them - Author: Michael Izatt - Published: 2025-12-04 - Category: blog - Tags: Guides, Product Updates Elevation data sits at the heart of countless decisions. Whether you're planning a new access road or modelling flood risk, accurate terrain information shapes the outcome. But here's the thing: **not all elevation data is the same** - and choosing the wrong type can throw off your entire analysis. In this guide, we'll break down the different types of elevation models, explain how and show you exactly how industries are putting this data to work. ## What is a Digital Elevation Model (DEM)? A **Digital Elevation Model (DEM)** is a digital representation of the Earth's surface. It's essentially a grid of elevation values, where each pixel represents height at that location. Under the DEM umbrella, there are two main types: - **DSM** (Digital Surface Model) - **DTM** (Digital Terrain Model) They serve different purposes and allow for different insights to be gathered depending on the specific use case they are utilised for. ## Digital Surface Model (DSM) A DSM captures the **top of everything visible from above**. Trees, buildings, stockpiles, infrastructure - all of it. Think of it as what a satellite "sees" when it looks straight down. It's the first surface that reflects the signal back. **DSM is ideal for:** - Estimating building and forest canopy height - Digital Twins and urban planning - Solar panel placement and shadow analysis - Line-of-sight and telecommunications planning **Where does DSM data come from?** 1. With **stereo satellite imagery**, two images of the same area captured from different angles are compared, and software calculates elevation to generate a DSM 2. With **LiDAR**, a sensor emits pulses of laser light and measures the return time to create a dense 3D point cloud, which is then converted into a DSM ## Digital Terrain Model (DTM) A DTM strips everything away. No trees. No buildings. No vegetation.\ What's left is the **bare earth** - the actual terrain of the land beneath the features. Getting a high quality DTM requires semi-automated processing and editing. The DSM elevation data needs to be filtered and classified to remove above-ground features. It's additional work but for many applications, it's essential. **DTM is ideal for:** - Flood and water modelling - Cut and fill calculations - Slope stability and grade assessment - Mine pit design and planning **Where does DTM data come from?** 1. With **stereo imagery**, algorithms first generate a surface model and then semi-automatically filter out vegetation, buildings and other non-ground features to isolate the bare earth 2. With **LiDAR**, the point cloud is classified into ground and non-ground returns and only the ground points are used to create the DTM ## DSM vs DTM: Side by Side The difference between DSM and DTM becomes clear when you compare them directly. In the example below, notice how the DSM captures buildings and infrastructure as elevated features, while the DTM shows only the underlying ground surface with those features removed. Side-by-side comparison of DSM and DTM at a mine site, with corresponding RGB imagery below. Notice how buildings visible in the DSM are removed in the DTM to reveal bare ground. DEM processed by Terrabit using imagery courtesy of Vantor. DSM DTM Surface (ground + objects) Bare ground only Yes No Urban planning, telecom, stockpiles, solar Hydrology, earthworks, surface planning ## Why the Difference Matters Choosing the wrong model can completely change your results. **Example 1: Flood modelling**\ Use a DSM and your model will show the flow of water diverting at a tree canopy or rooftop. A DTM reveals how water actually flows across the ground. **Example 2: Telecommunications planning**\ Here, you want the DSM. High-frequency 5G signals don't pass through walls and buildings - they bounce off them. The bare ground is irrelevant; it's the structures that matters. > **The key is matching the model to the question you're trying to answer.** ## How Satellites Capture Elevation Data Satellites don't measure elevation the same way a surveyor on the ground would. They use remote sensing techniques to extract 3D information from orbit. ### Stereo Photogrammetry This is how satellite-derived DEMs are created. A satellite captures two images of the same area from different angles, typically in a single pass or on occasion separate orbits. Software then measures the **parallax** (the apparent shift of features between images) to calculate elevation. It works the same way your eyes perceive depth. Two viewpoints, one 3D result. High-resolution satellites like can achieve **0.5–4m vertical accuracy** without ground control, though accuracy improves significantly with control and can be less than **50cm**. Using this method, DSMs or DTMs can be generated anywhere in the world, provided there are clear skies and reliable ground control data. ### From Imagery to Elevation The process involves several steps: 1. **Image acquisition** - Stereo pairs are captured with sufficient overlap and appropriate base-to-height ratio for conversion to a DEM 2. **Ground control** - Reference points tie the imagery to real-world coordinates to improve accuracy 3. **Matching and Elevation extraction** - Photogrammetry software identifies corresponding features across both images and their heights to create a DSM 4. **Quality control and DEM editing** - Results are checked and refined to remove erroneous data, with DTM editing if required The quality of the final DEM depends on image resolution, terrain complexity and the skill of the team processing the data. ## Resolution and Accuracy: What Do You Actually Need? Not all elevation data is created equal. Resolution and accuracy vary widely depending on the source. Resolution Typical Vertical Accuracy Availability 30m ~10m Free, global 30m / 90m ~4m Free, global 0.5–2m 0.5–4m Tasked & Archive acquisition **So what do you actually need?** It depends on the application. - **Regional planning or feasibility studies?** 30m DEM data (SRTM/AW3D30) often works well for this usecase - **Mine site access and design?** You'll want sub-metre accuracy from - **Monitoring active operations?** Recent data matters more than historical archives > The question isn't "what's the best resolution?" It's **"what resolution answers my use case?"** ## How Industries Use Satellite-Derived Elevation Data Here's where it gets practical. Across industries, organisations are using satellite-derived DEMs to make faster decisions, reduce costs and improve outcomes. ### Mining and Resource Extraction Elevation data helps to explain the entire process of the lifecycle. From exploration through to rehabilitation, terrain information drives critical decisions. Learn more about how satellite data supports each stage in our guide to . Elevation data supports site analysis and earthworks planning. The DTM removes above-ground features to reveal the underlying terrain. DEM processed by Terrabit using imagery courtesy of Vantor. **Cut and fill analysis** is one of the highest-value applications. Accurate DTMs allow mining operations to calculate earthwork volumes, optimise material movement and plan extraction sequences with confidence. **Pit design and planning** relies on detailed terrain models to calculate stripping ratios and design safe pit walls. **Rehabilitation planning** requires understanding current conditions and target landforms. Elevation models support earthworks monitoring and track progress against rehabilitation milestones. **Geological interpretation** can be enhanced with the use of a DTM to determine outcrops and geological formations visible within the elevation data. ### Construction and Civil Engineering **Site selection** becomes faster when you can analyse slope and access across multiple candidate locations without commissioning individual surveys. Best for determining potential sites especially when the areas of interest are both sparse and remote. Learn more about how we support . **Progress monitoring** tracks earthworks against schedule. Regular DEM capture gives you objective volume measurements, useful for haul road developments and . **Corridor planning** for roads, railways, pipelines and transmission lines needs continuous elevation profiles. Satellite DEMs deliver that efficiently across long distances providing cost-effective elevation data for initial site or route planning. ### Flood Risk and Water Management Water flows downhill. That simple fact makes elevation data fundamental to hydrology. Whether supporting with regional planning or helping infrastructure teams assess drainage requirements, DEMs provide the foundation for understanding how water moves across the landscape. **High-level flood mapping** relies on DEMs to identify at-risk areas across broad regions. By analysing terrain gradients and flow accumulation patterns, planners can pinpoint flood-prone zones and prioritise areas for further investigation without commissioning detailed site-specific surveys. **Watershed delineation** uses elevation to define catchment boundaries automatically, helping authorities understand how water moves across the landscape and where downstream impacts are most likely. > For detailed dam design or precision drainage engineering, higher-accuracy data from ground surveys or LiDAR is typically required. But for regional risk assessment and early-stage planning, satellite-derived DEMs provide a cost-effective foundation. ### Telecommunications and Network Planning Telecommunications networks are critical infrastructure, and elevation data plays a key role in their planning and optimisation. **Line-of-sight analysis** determines whether signals can travel between two points. But signals are not only affected by bare ground - they interact with trees, buildings and everything else in the way. DSMs provide a good baseline, particularly for remote regions and determining communication tower placement. **Microwave backhaul links** require precise elevation profiles between towers. Fresnel zone calculations, which determine the clear area needed for reliable transmission, depend on knowing exactly what's between point A and point B. ### Renewable Energy Development Terrain influences development. Satellite-derived elevation data supports energy projects from feasibility through to construction. - **Solar farms** need slope and aspect analysis - optimal sites are relatively flat with the right orientation. Elevation models let you screen large areas quickly - **Wind resource assessment** benefits from terrain analysis that identifies ridges, elevated areas, and locations where topography accelerates airflow - **Hydropower feasibility** depends on head (elevation difference) and catchment size. Satellite DEMs support preliminary screening across broad areas ### Environmental Monitoring Elevation data supports a wide range of applications. - **Habitat modelling** uses terrain variables like slope, aspect and elevation to predict species distributions - **Glacier monitoring** tracks ice volume changes over time using repeat elevation measurements - **Coastal vulnerability assessment** combines DEMs with sea level rise projections to map areas at risk of inundation ## Choosing the Right Elevation Data for Your Project With so many options, how do you decide? Ask yourself these questions. For more guidance on selecting the right satellite data source, see our guide to the . **What accuracy do I actually need?** If 5–10 metre accuracy meets your requirements, there's no reason to be paying for sub-metre data. But if you're doing detailed modelling or more precise calculations, accuracy matters. **How current does the data need to be?** Most of the currently available free global datasets are over a decade old. If your site has changed through construction, mining or natural events, you will likely need a . **What area am I covering?** Small sites might be more efficiently captured by drone. Satellite data makes sense for larger areas, remote locations, or places that are difficult to access. **Which model type do I need?** If you need surface details like buildings, trees and infrastructure included, choose a DSM. If you need the bare ground with above-ground features removed, a DTM is the right choice. ## In Summary DEMs, DSMs and DTMs are all representations of elevation, but they answer different questions. - **DSM:** "What's the height of everything on the surface?" - **DTM:** "What's the shape of the land beneath it?" - **DEM:** The umbrella term covering both. Together, they form the foundation for terrain analysis across industries - from mining and construction to site planning and telecommunications. The data is more accessible than ever. The key is knowing which type you need and matching it to your application. For a comprehensive overview of the satellite imagery acquisition process, see our . **Get that right, and elevation data becomes one of the most powerful tools in your analysis toolkit.** Want to find out how satellite-derived elevation data can support your projects? Our team can help you select the right elevation product for your specific requirements. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/blog/digital-elevation-models-from-satellite-imagery --- ### Leveraging Satellite Data Across the Mine Lifecycle: From Exploration to Rehabilitation - Author: Simon Greig - Published: 2025-09-17 - Category: blog - Tags: Guides, Industry Solutions Consistent satellite captures reveal activity and change through exploration, operations and rehabilitation. Imagery courtesy of KARI (Korea Aerospace Research Institute) / SI Imaging Services (SIIS) and processed by the Terrabit Team. Satellite data is a core asset in the mining industry. From early exploration to post‑closure rehabilitation, offers a reliable, cost‑effective and scalable way to monitor and manage mining operations. Here’s how satellite data supports each stage of the mine lifecycle: ## 1. Exploration: Smarter Targeting with Remote Sensing In the early stages, satellite data enables broad‑area assessment of geological conditions before committing to costly field surveys. **Key Uses:** - **Multispectral and hyperspectral data** to identify surface mineralogy - **High‑resolution basemaps** to identify outcrops and context - **Digital Elevation Models** for access planning and infrastructure design - **Historical imagery** to analyse previous exploration and mining activity **Outcomes:** - Reduced field costs and on‑ground risks - Faster site prioritisation - Data‑driven target selection ## 2. Site Planning: DEMs, Basemaps and Constraints for Design Before ground is broken, satellite data reduces uncertainty and accelerates design iterations by providing consistent, current context over the full area of interest. **Key uses:** - **High‑resolution basemaps (30–50cm)** to plan the layout of pits, waste dumps, ROM pads, haul roads and tailings facilities with real‑world context. - **Digital Elevation Models (DEM/DSM)** derived from stereo/tri‑stereo optical captures to support drainage design, slope classification, catchment analysis and tailings wall planning. - **Corridor routing and access planning** for roads, pipelines and power-identify constraints early (steep slopes, wetlands, riparian buffers, land tenure and easements). - **Viewshed/line‑of‑sight and shadow analysis** for communications, surveillance and blast exclusion zones. - **Hydrology and surface water mapping** to locate ephemeral channels, floodplains and potential water‑logging risks for pads and roads. - **Environmental and heritage constraints** using time‑series to confirm baseline vegetation extent and sensitive habitat proximity for approvals. **Recommended data:** very high‑resolution optical, recent DEM/DSM, historical imagery for baselines. **Outcomes:** fewer redesign loops, lower on‑ground survey time, earlier risk discovery and a clear, auditable planning baseline. ## 3. Construction: Progress Tracking of Major Infrastructure and Environmental Controls Once works commence, frequent, consistent captures provide objective progress evidence and early warnings-without mobilising additional survey crews. **Construction monitoring use cases:** - **Progress tracking** at daily/weekly cadence; overlay planned vs actual to flag schedule variance on roads, pads and facilities. - **Earthworks and materials**: monitor cut/fill extents, stockpile growth and laydown areas; optional volumetrics where suitable surface models exist. - **Mid construction quality assurance and control**: validate alignments for haul roads, tailings embankments and drainage features against design. - **Environmental controls**: verify sediment basins, erosion controls, turbidity risks, clearing limits and buffer compliance during works. - **Logistics and interfaces**: observe construction at ports/railheads and other interfaces to coordinate sequencing and access (see example below). Coastal infrastructure example: high‑resolution imagery supports port construction monitoring-tracking breakwater progress, dredging activity, berth construction and laydown growth-without additional site mobilisations. **Cadence & delivery:** daily for critical paths, weekly for routine builds; analysis‑ready, orthorectified products to drop into GIS/BI for quick reviews. **Benefits:** independent, consistent record of progress, reduced site travel, early risk detection and stronger stakeholder/compliance reporting. ## 4. Operations: High‑Resolution Monitoring and Change Detection The operational phase is where satellite imagery has become an essential part of modern mine management. With constellations now offering very high‑resolution capture and frequent revisits, operators can observe and assess changes across the site with accurate, consistent data. Year‑to‑year comparison enables precise change detection for active pits and haul roads. Imagery courtesy of KARI (Korea Aerospace Research Institute) / SI Imaging Services (SIIS). ### Focus Areas #### High‑Resolution Site Imagery Detailed very high‑resolution optical imagery gives mine managers a current and accurate visual record of site conditions. This supports: - Visual inspection of haul roads, pits and waste dumps - Volume estimation of stockpiles - Asset tracking across large areas #### Change Detection Regular image acquisition allows detection of physical changes on‑site, especially useful for identifying: - Vegetation clearance and compliance reporting - Unauthorized land use or encroachment - Unplanned expansion of pits or dumps - Shifts in water bodies or drainage patterns Change maps and digitisation provide a clear, objective record of operational activity over time, aiding internal decision‑making, compliance records and stakeholder communication. > Did you know: Satellite data and products can be used to verify activity on an exploration or mining lease, allowing it to be counted as an expenditure. Whole‑of‑site comparisons support operational reviews and external reporting. Imagery courtesy of KARI / SI Imaging Services (SIIS). **Operational Benefits:** - Independent, consistent oversight of large or remote sites - Monitoring construction or infrastructure projects in complex environments (e.g., port development) to ensure accuracy and compliance - Early warning of compliance risks or physical hazards - Lower reliance on field inspections or drone deployments - Improved reporting for ESG and regulatory frameworks ## 5. Rehabilitation: Remote Time‑Series Monitoring of Regrowth, Stability and Compliance Satellite data plays a crucial role in mine closure planning and post‑closure monitoring by providing an objective, time‑stamped record of land use and recovery. Repeat capture supports objective tracking of activity decline and surface stabilisation through the closure phase. Imagery courtesy of KARI / SIIS. **Key Uses:** - **Regulatory compliance:** High‑resolution monitoring tracks rehabilitation milestones under WA’s Mining Rehabilitation Fund (MRF) and QLD’s Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plan (PRCP), providing audit‑ready evidence. - **Vegetation regrowth monitoring** using NDVI and other vegetation indices - **Species detection** differentiating native and invasive species Because satellites can capture imagery years or even decades after mine closure without a site visit, they are an ideal tool for long‑term environmental audits and stakeholder reporting. We use analysis‑ready data, standards‑based delivery and APIs so imagery flows into your systems for both insight and efficiency. ## Bringing It All Together Satellite data is no longer a novelty in mining-it’s a practical tool for day‑to‑day operations. With use cases across the full mining cycle from start to finish, there is a place for satellite products and solutions. Terrabit offers high‑quality, accurate satellite data and analytics throughout the mine cycle. Talk to our team to learn more about how our service can assist. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/blog/mine-site-monitoring-lifecycle-satellite-data --- ### Pre-Processing Satellite Imagery: Turning Raw Pixels into Insight - Author: Michael Izatt - Published: 2025-11-13 - Category: blog - Tags: Guides, Data Analytics > **Terrabit insight:** The accuracy of any downstream analytics hinges on the quality of the pre-processing pipeline that prepares your imagery. When people see a high resolution and cloud-free satellite image, they rarely think about the complex steps that went into producing it. In reality, the raw data captured by satellites is far from ready to use. Whether for environmental monitoring, mapping, or commercial analytics, **pre-processing** is the essential foundation that transforms raw pixels into analysis ready data. Let’s lift the curtain on what really happens before an image reaches your screen. ### 1. Data Capture and Radiometric Correction Every satellite sensor captures data in digital numbers (DNs) - values that represent the intensity of light detected by the sensor for each band. These raw numbers must first be converted into a physical unit, typically **radiance**, to make them meaningful for scientific and analytical use. *Think of this as translating the satellite’s “language” into something humans and software can understand.* ### 2. Atmospheric Correction Between the satellite and Earth’s surface is an unpredictable layer - our atmosphere. It scatters, absorbs and distorts light, particularly under hazy, humid or smoky conditions. Atmospheric correction compensates for this interference, converting the radiance values to *surface reflectance* so that the pixel values represents the ground response, not at the top of the atmosphere. This step is crucial for any time-series analysis or land cover change study. ### 3. Geometric Correction and Orthorectification Raw satellite data isn’t aligned to ground coordinates. Terrain, capture angle and sensor motion all cause spatial distortions. Geometric correction aligns the image to a map projection, while **orthorectification** removes distortions using a digital elevation model (DEM). The result? Every pixel corresponds precisely to a geographic coordinate - essential for accurate measurement, mapping and integration with other GIS data. ### 4. Cloud and Shadow Masking Even during the dry season imagery can be compromised by clouds and their shadows. Semi-automated masking and manual QA identifies and replaces these unwanted objects with overlapping cloud free data, allowing analysts to focus on their analysis not masking. This is especially important in tropical regions where cloud-free imagery can be rare. ### 5. Mosaicking Large projects often require multiple scenes to cover a region of interest. Mosaicking blends overlapping images into seamless and colour balanced mosaic. These processes balance visual quality with scientific accuracy - part art, part science. ### 6. Quality Assurance Before delivery, each dataset undergoes rigorous quality checks - verifying alignment and accuracy. A small error at this stage can compromise the integrity of downstream analytics. For professional imagery providers, QA isn’t just a box to tick - it’s what separates a “pretty picture” from a reliable dataset. ### Final Thoughts Pre-processing may be invisible to most end users, but it’s the unsung hero of satellite analytics. Every corrected pixel represents hours of computation and technical expertise. Next time you see a clean, cloud-free image - remember, there’s a world of processing behind those perfect pixels. > Need analysis-ready imagery without the guesswork? Our team manages end-to-end pre-processing so you can move straight to insight. about your next project. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/blog/pre-processing-satellite-imagery --- ### Remote Site Monitoring: How It Works - Author: Zachary Walls - Published: 2025-10-07 - Category: blog - Tags: Guides, Data Analytics In today's fast-paced world, knowing what's happening at your site is critical. Whether it's construction projects spanning hundreds of acres, active mining operations, agricultural fields across multiple regions, or distributed utility infrastructure, having actionable data at your fingertips can save time, reduce risk and optimise operations. Terrabit makes remote site monitoring simple, reliable and actionable through advanced geospatial intelligence. ## What is Remote Site Monitoring? Remote site monitoring uses or aerial imagery to track conditions and activities at locations that are difficult or costly to visit frequently. Instead of sending teams on-site multiple times per week, you can access geospatial data collected at intervals ranging from bi-weekly to yearly-depending on satellite availability and your operational requirements. This enables smarter, faster decision-making backed by objective, verifiable data. Modern satellite constellations can capture imagery at resolutions from 30cm per pixel, depending on the sensor and application. This means you can detect objects as small as individual vehicles, track vegetation health at the plant level, or monitor landscape-scale changes across thousands of kilometres simultaneously. Change detection: Mining movement and changes between 2024 and 2025. Imagery courtesy of SI Imaging Services (SIIS) - processed by Terrabit. ## How Terrabit Makes It Work Terrabit combines advanced satellite technology, AI-driven analytics and tailored monitoring strategies to provide comprehensive visibility into your remote sites. Here's how we transform raw geospatial data into operational intelligence: ### 1. Define Your Monitoring Goals Every site is different. Terrabit works with you to identify what needs monitoring-whether that's tracking equipment movement on construction sites, measuring stockpile volumes in mining operations, assessing crop health using vegetation indices like NDVI and NDRE, monitoring construction progress against project milestones, or detecting unauthorised access to restricted areas-and determining optimal data collection frequency. We help you establish baseline conditions, define thresholds for alerts and identify the specific metrics that matter to your operations, whether that's change detection accuracy, temporal resolution, or specific spectral bands needed for your analysis. ### 2. Task the Right Satellite We recommend the best satellite constellation and imaging parameters for your specific needs. Options include: **Optical Imagery**: High-resolution visible and multispectral sensors (0.3m-5m resolution) ideal for visual inspections, progress tracking and standard change detection. Best for cloud-free conditions and daytime monitoring. **Hyperspectral Data**: Captures hundreds of narrow spectral bands, enabling precise material identification, mineral mapping, vegetation stress detection beyond what's visible to the human eye and contamination monitoring. **Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)**: Penetrates clouds and operates day or night, making it essential for all-weather monitoring. Particularly valuable for detecting ground deformation, measuring soil moisture, monitoring flood extent and tracking changes in infrastructure. The selection depends on your monitoring objectives, required revisit frequency and environmental conditions at your site location. ### 3. Automated Data Collection Once satellite tasking is configured, data is collected automatically according to your schedule. For critical applications requiring near-real-time monitoring, we can leverage constellations offering multiple daily passes or hourly updates. This automation eliminates the need for manual coordination and ensures consistent data capture regardless of your team's availability or site accessibility constraints. ### 4. Data Processing & Analysis Raw satellite data undergoes several processing stages: **Radiometric Correction**: Compensates for sensor variations and atmospheric interference to ensure consistent, comparable data across time series. **Geometric Correction**: Orthorectifies imagery to correct distortions from terrain relief and sensor viewing angle, enabling accurate measurements and overlay with other geospatial datasets. **Atmospheric Correction**: Removes atmospheric effects like haze, water vapor and aerosols to derive true surface reflectance values, critical for vegetation analysis and change detection. Machine learning algorithms then analyse the processed data to identify patterns, anomalies, or changes relevant to your operations. This includes: - **Change detection algorithms** that identify differences between time periods with sub-meter accuracy - **Object detection models** trained to recognise specific equipment, vehicles, or infrastructure elements - **Spectral analysis** for vegetation health assessment, mineral identification, or material classification - **Time-series analysis** to identify trends, seasonal patterns, or deviations from normal conditions - **Volume calculations** for stockpiles, excavations, or earthwork using digital elevation models Vegetation and land use change at Gladstone, QLD (2020–2025). Time series analysis via remote sensing allows for environmental monitoring on a scale not possible by manual or other means. ### 5. Actionable Insights Delivered Processed insights are delivered through intuitive dashboards, automated alerts, or integrated APIs that connect directly with your existing project management or GIS systems. You can: - Visualise multi-temporal data to track progress over weeks, months, or years - Compare current conditions against baseline or previous periods - Receive threshold-based alerts when specific conditions are detected (e.g., unauthorised changes, equipment absence, vegetation stress) - Generate automated reports with quantitative metrics like area measurements, volume calculations, or index values - Export analysis results in standard formats (GeoTIFF, Shapefile, KML) for integration with tools like ArcGIS or QGIS. All of this happens without requiring specialised remote sensing expertise from your team. > **Unfamiliar with GIS Software?** Our portal allows for easy viewing and use of satellite data all from your browser, making it easy to share internally with your team without needing any specialised GIS expertise. Visit our page to learn more about our mission and technology. ### 6. Continuous Optimisation Terrabit continuously refines your monitoring program based on evolving site conditions, seasonal factors and your operational goals. If we detect that certain areas require more frequent monitoring or different sensor types would provide better insights, we adjust the collection strategy accordingly. This adaptive approach ensures you always have the most relevant, timely and actionable information while optimising cost-effectiveness. ## Benefits of Remote Site Monitoring **Reduced operational risk**: Detect issues like erosion, unauthorised access, equipment displacement, or vegetation stress days or weeks before they escalate into costly problems. **Lower costs**: Minimise travel expenses, reduce manual inspection frequency by up to 70% and eliminate safety risks associated with accessing hazardous or remote locations. **Faster decision-making**: Receive insights within hours of satellite collection rather than waiting days for traditional site visits. Intra-daily updates enable rapid response to changing conditions. **Better resource allocation**: Deploy field teams only when satellite data indicates intervention is needed, focusing human expertise where it delivers maximum value. **Objective documentation**: Maintain time-stamped, georeferenced records of site conditions for regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, or progress verification. **Scalability**: Monitor hundreds of sites across different regions with the same effort required for monitoring one, enabling enterprise-wide visibility at unprecedented scale. ## Real-World Applications **Construction**: Track earthwork progress against schedules, monitor equipment positioning, verify contractor work and document site conditions for legal protection. **Mining**: Measure stockpile volumes, monitor tailings dam stability, track haul road conditions and assess rehabilitation progress on former mine sites. **Agriculture**: Calculate vegetation indices to identify underperforming areas, optimise irrigation scheduling, detect pest or disease outbreaks early and verify crop coverage for insurance purposes. **Utilities**: Monitor transmission corridors for vegetation encroachment, assess damage after severe weather, track construction impacts on rights-of-way and identify potential security threats. Unlock actionable insights for your sites with Terrabit’s advanced satellite monitoring and analytics-tailored to your operational needs. Connect with our team to see how remote site monitoring can transform your decision-making. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/blog/remote-site-monitoring-how-it-works --- ### SI Imaging Services + Terrabit: More Coverage, Faster Decisions - Author: Zachary Walls - Published: 2025-08-29 - Category: announcements - Tags: Partnerships, News Terrabit is excited to announce a new partnership with **SI Imaging Services (SIIS)**-the worldwide commercial supplier/representative of the **KOMPSAT** satellite constellation developed by the **Korean Aerospace Research Institute (KARI)**. This expands our access to **very-high resolution imagery** so your teams can monitor assets and environments with higher frequency and faster turnarounds. If you’re new to our offerings, explore our page for example use cases and delivery options. ## What You Get With SIIS, we are expanding our tasking capabilities and image archives across the proven KOMPSAT sensors. The outcome: dependable high-frequency coverage, sharp visuals for change detection, and delivery formats that slot straight into your workflows. See our page for the full menu of product specs. - **High clarity:** Identify changes to roads, stockpiles, structures, and vegetation with confidence thanks to **40cm** class imagery. - **Speed + reliability:** **KOMPSAT-3A** and **KOMPSAT-3** each offer **multiple revisits per week** for the same area. Interested in seeing this in action? Have a look at our page. - **Delivery:** **Accurate Colour-balanced Orthorectified** products. Pre-processed via local in-house processing, using your ground control or satellite metadata, plus optional **WMTS** hosting. ## Where It Helps First If your work depends on up-to-date ground truth-especially across large or remote areas. This partnership delivers faster workflow from tasking to insight. - **Mining & Resources:** Stockpile/change tracking, encroachment checks, rehabilitation progress. - **Infrastructure:** Construction progress, corridor monitoring. - **Government & Environmental:** Urban change baselines, coastal/shoreline updates and vegetation change detection. ## How We Make It Actionable Data only drives decisions when it’s easy to use. We design acquisitions and deliverables to reduce friction and increase value from the satellite products. - **Fit-for-purpose acquisition plan:** We’ll recommend the right sensor, resolution, and cadence for your project needs. - **Clean delivery:** Orthorectified and validated products in your preferred formats. - **Analysis-ready data, straight out of the box:** We preprocess optical imagery-so it drops into your software/workflows and you can focus on outcomes. Learn more on . ## Get Started Tell us your AOI, cadence, and project requirements-we’ll recommend the right sensor plan and delivery format. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/blog/siis-and-terrabit-partnership --- ### Terrabit Joins Vantor’s Partner Ecosystem - Author: Zachary Walls - Published: 2025-11-11 - Category: announcements - Tags: Partnerships, News ## Partnership Snapshot Brisbane Australia - November 2025 - Terrabit, a company focused on delivering very high-resolution and premium quality satellite imagery solutions, announced today that they have joined Vantor’s Partner Ecosystem. Vantor, the leading provider of spatial intelligence, and Terrabit will now serve Australia with Vantor’s products and solutions for mining, environmental and infrastructure industries. Vantor combines software, AI, and spatial data to build a unified intelligence picture. Its industry-leading imaging satellite constellation fuels the most accurate living digital replica of Earth. These capabilities provide government and commercial customers with an unparalleled understanding of our world. Terrabit can now enable their customers to access Vantor’s products. Terrabit will add value to Vantor’s products with additional processing, localised support and customised analytics services to deliver actionable insights for Australian customers. _"We’re excited to bring Vantor’s very high-resolution imagery products to our clients,"_ said Simon Greig, Sales and Partnership Manager at Terrabit. _"Combining Vantor’s global technology with Terrabit’s regional expertise ensures Australian projects have access to the most accurate, timely and insightful geospatial data available."_ ### About Terrabit Terrabit is advancing the future of geospatial intelligence through high-resolution satellite imagery and analytics. Headquartered in Australia, Terrabit delivers data-driven insight to customers across mining, environmental and infrastructure worldwide. By combining access to the world’s most capable imaging satellites with local expertise and advanced analytics, Terrabit transforms raw data into actionable intelligence. Its solutions enable organizations to monitor change, manage resources and make confident, timely decisions in a dynamic world. ### About Vantor Vantor is unleashing a more automated, interoperable future. We’re forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence, empowering decision makers and operators with the clarity they need to navigate what’s happening now and shape what’s coming next. Our AI-powered spatial intelligence platform fuses data from the world’s most capable imaging satellites with real-time sensor feeds from space, air, and ground to create the most accurate living digital replica of Earth. The platform automates every part of the intelligence cycle—from tasking to collection to production—to continuously update and analyze this foundation at the pace of change. These capabilities provide customers with an unparalleled understanding of our world and connect the next generation of autonomous systems across the defense, intelligence, and commercial landscape. For more information, visit vantor. ## Talk to Us Ready to unlock near real-time satellite monitoring or fine-tune your imagery procurement workflow? URL: https://terrabit.com.au/blog/vantor-and-terrabit-partnership --- ### What is Satellite Imagery? - Author: Michael Izatt - Published: 2025-09-15 - Category: blog - Tags: Guides lets us see Earth from space - but it’s far more than just pretty pictures. It’s information. It’s insight. It’s the backbone of decision‑making in sectors from to , to disaster response. In this article, we explain how satellite imagery works, the different types, what you can do with it, and where the technology is heading. By the end, you’ll see why satellite imagery isn’t just “nice to have” - it’s becoming essential. ## What Exactly Is Satellite Imagery? Satellite imagery refers to photos or data collected by orbiting the planet that capture visual, infrared, thermal, radar or other spectral information. These images are used to map, monitor and analyse Earth's surface. To be useful, satellite imagery is: - Processed to remove distortions and align with previous data or GPS coordinates - Calibrated so measurements are comparable across atmospheric conditions - Packaged into formats that can be analysed by GIS software or AI tools This transformation from raw data to actionable insight is what makes satellite imagery so powerful for commercial, research and government use. ## How It Works - From Space to Insight Here’s what happens between a satellite passing overhead and you receiving usable imagery: 1. Orbit & Sensor Types - The satellite’s orbit (sun‑synchronous or mid‑inclination) determines when and how often it can view a given location. - Sensors vary: optical (visible light), multispectral, hyperspectral, thermal, radar (SAR). Each has strengths and trade‑offs. 2. Data Capture - As the satellite passes over an area, its sensors record reflected light, heat or radar signals. - Some sensors work day or night, through clouds; others need clear skies and daylight. 3. Transmission & Ground Stations - The satellite beams data to ground stations where it’s stored and queued for initial QC and processing. - Some satellites have near real‑time downlink; others may have a delay depending on their orbit. 4. Processing & Correction - Raw data is corrected for atmospheric effects, sensor noise, and geometric distortion. - It’s orthorectified so each pixel lines up with its real‑world coordinates and corrected for terrain. 5. Analysis & Insight - Imagery can then be mosaicked, pansharpened (if in bundle format) and analysed for specific insights - common ones include: vegetation health, water levels, construction progress and change detection/disturbance mapping. ## Types of Satellite Data & Their Applications Different types of satellite imagery are designed for different jobs. Here’s a quick guide to the main categories and what they’re best for: Key Features Example Applications Captures visible light plus extra bands; similar to photography Crop health, urban planning, environmental monitoring Dozens to hundreds of bands; detects subtle material differences Mineral exploration, ecosystem mapping, precision agriculture Measures heat radiation; works day or night Wildfire detection, infrastructure heat loss, volcano monitoring Works through clouds, day or night; detects surface shape and texture Flood mapping, infrastructure movement, disaster response ## Why Satellite Imagery Matters Satellite imagery is used every day to make smarter, faster decisions across industries: - - support exploration by identifying geological features, monitor tailings dams and track environmental compliance in remote regions. - Agriculture & Pastoral Land Management - monitor drought stress, pasture growth and crop yields over vast farms and rangelands. - - track bushfire risk and recovery, detect illegal land clearing and monitor habitats. - - plan new roads and suburbs, monitor construction progress and assess flood risk. - Disaster Management - rapidly map floods, cyclone damage or bushfire‑affected areas to prioritise response. - - support land‑use regulation, carbon accounting and climate change reporting. ## Benefits of Satellite Imagery - Wide‑Area Coverage - monitor entire countries or regions in a single dataset, including remote or inaccessible areas. - Regular, Repeatable Monitoring - many revisit the same location daily or even multiple times per day, enabling time‑series analysis. - Rich, Multi‑Spectral Data - beyond just “pictures,” satellites provide insights into vegetation health, moisture, temperature and even ground movement. - Historical Archives - decades of imagery allow you to track long‑term trends like urban expansion, coastal erosion and climate impacts. Multi‑year comparison using Sentinel‑2 enables robust change detection and trend analysis. ## The Future of Satellite Imagery The satellite imagery industry is moving fast - and the possibilities keep expanding: - More Frequent Revisit Times - new constellations of small satellites are providing multiple captures per day, enabling near real‑time monitoring. - Higher Resolution & More Spectral Bands - each new generation of satellites delivers sharper images and richer data for more detailed analysis. - AI & Machine Learning Integration - automated change detection, predictive modelling and instant alerts are transforming raw data into actionable intelligence. - Easier Access & Integration - cloud platforms and APIs are making imagery more accessible to businesses, researchers and governments of all sizes. - Global Collaboration - open data programs like Copernicus and Landsat are enabling climate science, disaster response and policy planning worldwide. Satellite imagery is no longer just a tool for scientists or governments - it’s becoming a core part of decision‑making across industries. ## Conclusion Satellite imagery transforms how we see and understand the world. From tracking environmental changes to supporting agriculture, urban planning, mining and disaster response, it provides insights that were once impossible to access at scale. Whether you’re a business, government agency or researcher, using satellite imagery can help you make smarter, faster and more informed decisions. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/blog/what-is-satellite-imagery --- ### Wyvern + Terrabit: Hyperspectral Imagery for Next-Generation Insights - Author: Simon Greig - Published: 2025-09-23 - Category: announcements - Tags: Partnerships, News Hyperspectral imaging is changing how we understand the Earth. Terrabit is proud to supply data from Wyvern's Dragonette hyperspectral constellation, which captures data across 23 or 31 spectral bands for next-generation insights in mining, agriculture, environment and infrastructure. This means Terrabit can now help you access hyperspectral imagery, backed by our local expertise and support team in Brisbane, QLD. If you’re new to our offerings, explore our page for delivery options and example use cases. ; processed by the Terrabit team. ## What You Get **Hyperspectral Bands** Unlike traditional optical imagery, hyperspectral data captures 20+ narrow bands across the visible and infrared spectrum. Enabling you to: - Detect subtle vegetation stress before it’s visible to the eye. - Identify mineral signatures for exploration and rehabilitation. - Monitor water quality and algae blooms with chemical-level precision. - Classify materials and track changes invisible in normal satellite imagery. ; processed by the Terrabit team. ## Where It Helps First Hyperspectral imagery already delivers value in: - **Mining & Exploration** – mineral mapping, soil chemistry and rehabilitation monitoring. - **Agriculture & Forestry** – crop stress detection, nutrient optimisation and disease tracking. - **Environment & Water** – algae bloom detection, wetland health and pollution monitoring. - **Infrastructure & Energy** – material degradation and analysis. data can be used to “see the unseen” by revealing separability of materials. Imagery courtesy of Wyvern; processed by the Terrabit team. ## How We Make It Actionable Hyperspectral data is powerful, but it only delivers value when presented in a way that drives real decisions. Terrabit ensures Wyvern’s hyperspectral imagery is practical and immediately usable by providing: - **Tailored acquisition plan:** We recommend the optimal spectral bands, capture parameters and revisit cadence for your Area of Interest (AOI). - **Clean, pre-processed data:** Orthorectified, Top-of-Atmosphere (TOA) corrected and radiometrically calibrated imagery, ready for analysis without extra pre-processing. - **Analysis-ready products:** In-house processing includes Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and decorrelation stretches, delivered in GIS-compatible formats so you can focus on detecting vegetation type, mineral signatures, water quality changes and other critical insights. With Terrabit as your supplier, Wyvern hyperspectral imagery arrives ready for analysis-not as raw files that slow your projects. Learn more on . ## Get Started Tell us your AOI, cadence and project requirements-we’ll recommend the right satellite solution and delivery format. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/blog/wyvern-and-terrabit-partnership --- ## Company ### About Terrabit Terrabit is an Australian geospatial technology company specializing in satellite imagery and AI-powered analytics. Our mission is to make earth observation data accessible and actionable. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/company --- ### Partners & Vendors Terrabit partners with leading satellite imagery providers including BlackSky, Wyvern, SIIS, and Vantor to deliver comprehensive earth observation solutions. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/company/vendors --- ### BlackSky Partnership BlackSky provides high-revisit, high-resolution satellite imagery. Real-time monitoring capabilities with rapid tasking and delivery for time-sensitive applications. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/company/vendors/blacksky --- ### Wyvern Partnership Wyvern delivers hyperspectral satellite imagery for advanced spectral analysis. Agriculture, mining, and environmental applications with detailed material identification. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/company/vendors/wyvern --- ### SIIS Partnership SIIS (Satellite Imaging and Intelligence Solutions) provides comprehensive satellite data and analytics services for Australian defense and government applications. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/company/vendors/siis --- ### Vantor Partnership Vantor is an Australian satellite company developing sovereign imaging capabilities. Next-generation earth observation for Australian government and commercial customers. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/company/vendors/vantor --- ### Contact Us Get in touch with Terrabit. Contact our team to discuss satellite imagery, geospatial solutions, or partnership opportunities. Request a demo or quote. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/contact-us --- ## Other Pages ### Terrabit - Satellite Intelligence & AI-Powered Insights Transforming industries with satellite intelligence and AI-powered insights. Geospatial data solutions for mining, energy, government, infrastructure, and environmental monitoring. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/ --- ### Satellite Tracker Track satellites in real-time. View orbital positions of earth observation satellites. Interactive 3D visualization of satellite constellations. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/satellites --- ### Blog & Resources Latest insights on satellite imagery, geospatial technology, and industry applications. Technical guides, case studies, and company news. URL: https://terrabit.com.au/blog ---