Spot 5 satellite image of Lake Winnipeg in Canada. Photo: Airbus Defence and Space

[Via Satellite 06-26-2014] GeoNorth became the first client to purchase a multi-satellite Direct Receiving Station (DRS) from Airbus Defense and Space. The DRS will give access to both high-resolution and very high-resolution optical and radar satellite imagery for the Fairbanks, Alaska-based information technology custom application provider. It draws on the Spot 5, 6 and soon 7 satellites, Pléiades 1A and 1B, TerraSAR X and TanDEM X satellites, with resolutions across optical and radar products ranging from 0.25 meters to 40 meters.

The GeoNorth DRS will have applications in North American markets such as oil, gas and mining, infrastructure development, fisheries and ice monitoring. It brings the number of stations to Airbus’ DRS network to nearly 40, the largest worldwide.

The network ensures near real-time delivery of data and services by allowing customers to downlink imagery instantly each time a satellite passes over the stations. This also frees up more memory onboard the satellites and increases acquisition capacity.