Artist’s rendering of a WorldView satellite. Photo: Ball Aerospace and Technologies

[Via Satellite 06-11-2014] The U.S. Department of Commerce has updated approvals to allow DigitalGlobe to begin offering customers its highest resolution imagery from the company’s current constellation, effective immediately. DigitalGlobe will also be able to sell imagery to its customers at up to 0.25 meters panchromatic and 1 meter multispectral Group Sample Distance (GSD) beginning six months after the WorldView 3 satellite is operational. The satellite is schedule to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. on August 13 or August 14, 2014.

DigitalGlobe currently operates five Earth imaging satellites, two of which — GeoEye 1 and WorldView 2 — collect imagery sharper than 0.5 meters. The WorldView 3 will provide resolution at about 1 foot and the GeoEye 2 satellite will capture similarly sharp images.

The company also announced its plans to shift WorldView 1 into a different orbit, which will allow the satellite to image the Earth in the afternoon each day, to help provide a more comprehensive view of the planet.

“Our customers will immediately realize the benefits of this updated regulation, as for the first time, we will be able to make our very best imagery available to the commercial market,” said Jeffrey Tarr, CEO of DigitalGlobe. “As a result of this policy update and the forthcoming addition of WorldView 3 to our constellation, DigitalGlobe will further differentiate itself from foreign competition and expand our addressable market.”