<P> Satellite imagery is sometimes supplemented with aerial photography, which has higher resolution, but is more expensive per square meter . Satellite imagery can be combined with vector or raster data in a GIS provided that the imagery has been spatially rectified so that it will properly align with other data sets . </P> <P> GeoEye's GeoEye - 1 satellite was launched on September 6, 2008 . The GeoEye - 1 satellite has the high resolution imaging system and is able to collect images with a ground resolution of 0.41 meters (16 inches) in the panchromatic or black and white mode . It collects multispectral or color imagery at 1.65 - meter resolution or about 64 inches . </P> <P> DigitalGlobe's WorldView - 2 satellite provides high resolution commercial satellite imagery with 0.46 m spatial resolution (panchromatic only). The 0.46 meters resolution of WorldView - 2's panchromatic images allows the satellite to distinguish between objects on the ground that are at least 46 cm apart . Similarly DigitalGlobe's QuickBird satellite provides 0.6 meter resolution (at NADIR) panchromatic images . </P> <P> DigitalGlobe's WorldView - 3 satellite provides high resolution commercial satellite imagery with 0.31 m spatial resolution . WVIII also carries a short wave infrared sensor and an atmospheric sensor </P>

When can a visible satellite picture be taken