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
