DigitalGlobe

DigitalGlobe
source
Name	DigitalGlobe
Type	Subsidiary
Industry	Geospatial technology
Founded	1992
Founder	Walter Scott
Headquarters	Westminster, Colorado
Parent	Maxar Technologies

DigitalGlobe is a leading global provider of high-resolution Earth observation satellite imagery, geospatial data, and analytics services, founded by Walter Scott in 1992. The company has played a significant role in the development of the geospatial industry, working with organizations such as NASA, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), and United States Department of Defense (DoD). DigitalGlobe's imagery and data have been used in various applications, including Google Earth, Google Maps, and Esri's ArcGIS platform. The company has also collaborated with Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Oracle Corporation to provide cloud computing and data storage solutions.

● History

DigitalGlobe was founded in 1992 by Walter Scott, with the goal of providing high-resolution satellite imagery to the United States government and commercial customers. The company launched its first satellite, Early Bird 1, in 1997, but it failed to reach orbit due to a launch vehicle malfunction. DigitalGlobe's second satellite, IKONOS, was launched in 1999 and became the first commercial satellite to collect high-resolution imagery. The company has since launched several other satellites, including QuickBird, WorldView-1, and WorldView-2, which have been used by organizations such as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), United States Geological Survey (USGS), and European Space Agency (ESA).

● Products and Services

DigitalGlobe offers a range of products and services, including high-resolution satellite imagery, geospatial data, and analytics services. The company's imagery products include orthorectified imagery, stereo pairs, and digital elevation models (DEMs). DigitalGlobe also provides change detection and object-based image analysis (OBIA) services, which are used by organizations such as United Nations (UN), World Bank, and Red Cross. The company's data is used in various applications, including land use planning, natural resource management, and disaster response, and is integrated with platforms such as Esri's ArcGIS, Google Earth, and Bing Maps.

● Satellites

DigitalGlobe has launched several satellites, including IKONOS, QuickBird, WorldView-1, WorldView-2, WorldView-3, and WorldView-4. The company's satellites are equipped with high-resolution imaging sensors, such as panchromatic and multispectral sensors, which provide detailed imagery of the Earth's surface. DigitalGlobe's satellites have been used by organizations such as NASA, European Space Agency (ESA), and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) for various applications, including Earth observation, climate change research, and natural disaster response. The company's satellites have also been used in conjunction with other satellites, such as Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2, to provide comprehensive Earth observation data.

● Acquisitions and Merger

In 2017, DigitalGlobe merged with MDA Holdings, a Canadian space technology company, to form Maxar Technologies. The merger created a leading global provider of space technology and geospatial intelligence services. DigitalGlobe has also acquired several other companies, including Radiant Technologies and Spatial Energy, to expand its capabilities in geospatial data and analytics. The company has partnered with organizations such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman to provide space-based solutions for various applications, including national security and environmental monitoring.

● Applications and Uses

DigitalGlobe's imagery and data are used in various applications, including land use planning, natural resource management, and disaster response. The company's data is used by organizations such as United Nations (UN), World Bank, and Red Cross to support humanitarian efforts and sustainable development initiatives. DigitalGlobe's imagery is also used in precision agriculture, forestry management, and mining applications, and is integrated with platforms such as John Deere's FarmSight and Trimble's eCognition. The company's data has been used in conjunction with other data sources, such as social media and sensor data, to provide real-time insights and support data-driven decision making.

● Technology and Operations

DigitalGlobe's technology and operations are focused on providing high-resolution satellite imagery and geospatial data to customers around the world. The company uses advanced imaging sensors and signal processing techniques to collect and process high-resolution imagery. DigitalGlobe's operations are supported by a network of ground stations and data centers, which provide real-time access to imagery and data. The company has partnered with organizations such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform to provide cloud-based solutions for data storage and processing. DigitalGlobe's technology and operations are also supported by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms, which are used to automate tasks and improve the accuracy of geospatial data.

Category:Geospatial companies