GeoEye Finally in the outer space

GeoEye-1, the highest resolution commericial Earth imaging satellite, was successfull launched into the space at 11:51 a.m saturday morning. GeoEye-1 was launched on a Delta - 2 rocket that carried the Google logo on it , on the side of GeoEye logo.

Google has got itself a satellite called 'GeoEye' which exclusively serves the google with highest resolution imagery available in todays market. Google is going to use this imagery in its Google Earth and Google Maps applications. According to the deal signed Google is the one and only user of the GeoEye 1's satellite imagery, said google spokesman.

One of the things that really caught my attention is google logo on the rocket which is going to take GeoEye a 4300 pound satellite into the earths orbit in another six days.

picture credit : GeoEye/ULA While Googles current imagery the maxium resolution being 15 sq mts/ pixel, GeoEye-1 is capable of capturing the imagery with details of size of 41 cms which is very cool I think. But 50 cms is the permitted resolution according to the GeoEyes license agreement with the US government.

GeoEye-2 is already in progress with launch date in 2011 or 2012 and it will have a resolution of 25 cms (wow !).