Succeeded in Launching the High Performance Observation Satellite "QuickBird"
- 61cm resolution - first time in the world for commercial use
- Hitachi Software to start the high resolution satellite image service from this coming January
Hitachi Software Engineering Co., Ltd. ("Hitachi Software", President: Hiroyuki Kanekiyo, Headquarters: Yokohama City) will start a business related to the successfully launched high performance observation satellite "QuickBird" of Digital Globe (Earth Watch Inc.) of the U.S. (It was launched on October 19 from Bandenburgh, California) Specifically, Hitachi Software sells the images shot by the satellite as well as the systems for utilizing these images in Japan and Asian countries. This business will start on January 15, next year.
Features of the QuickBird
(1) It flies at the altitude of 450 km and offers the 61 cm resolution, the highest level for commercial purpose. "QuickBird" images shoot from 450 km above ground realize the resolution of 61 cm that is, you can identify the type of a passenger car or positions of baseball players in the ballpark. Using these images, you can create high precision maps comparable to aerial photographs.
(2) Shooting width is 16.5km wide
This covers the whole area within the Yamanote Line in Tokyo. Objects in this area are offered in a single seamless image.
(3) Shorter intervals (1 to 3 days) and agility in switching the shooting angle (30 degrees).
This satellite can better respond to diverse requests of the customers since it visits the same
(4) Stereographic images
Pictures from this satellite provide the height information indispensable for creating maps.
As described above, it has the world's most advanced performance as a commercial satellite. Thanks to these features on the satellite, Hitachi Software can offer high definition and the latest image data at a reasonable price.
These high quality images from the satellite have the above described features. While, Hitachi Software has the following technologies and know how in the map information service.
(1) Digital image processing technologies.
(2) Proven records in constructing the map information systems for the power, communication and gas companies inside and outside Japan.
(3) Photographs and satellite's image application technologies (such as conversion service) owned by Hitachi Software Global Technology, our affiliated company in the U.S.
Combining these advantages, Hitachi Software starts the following services from January 15 next year after a performance test of the satellite and adjustment of the ground facilities.
1.System of the Services offered
Following services are offered
(1) Image distribution service
Our system archives images covering every area on the world so that we may offer images of any desired area.
(2) New image shooting service
We can flexibly respond to an urgent request or request for areas not covered by the existing archive.
(3) Image analysis service
Our system is also prepared for creating maps based on the given subjects as well as reading a given map by using the accumulated image extraction and variation detecting technologies. (We will start with the new image shooting service. Price of this service will be $25 per square
(4) System construction service
We will propose and construct the systems based on the images and map data.
