Zayed University in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Photo: Skybox Imaging

[Via Satellite 12-27-13] Skybox Imaging has released its first high-resolution, high-definition video of Earth taken by its first commercial remote sensing satellite SkySat 1, which captures up to 90-second video clips at 30 frames per second. The satellite’s first released videos showcase high-resolution views of Tokyo, Bangkok, Baltimore, Las Vegas, and Aleppo. The video clips have not yet been calibrated or tuned.

The resolution is high enough to view objects like shipping containers that impact the global economy while maintaining a level of clarity that does not determine human activity. SkySat 1 also captures some of the highest quality color imagery of any commercial satellite and is capable of sub-meter native color and near-infrared imagery.

“The most revolutionary fact is that SkySat 1 was built and launched for more than an order of magnitude less cost than traditional sub-meter imaging satellites,” said Tom Ingersoll, CEO of Skybox.

SkySat 2, an identical version of SkySat 1, is scheduled to launch in early 2014. Skybox is planning for announcement regarding its proprietary technologies’ capabilities in the near future. SkySat 1 is the first of 24 satellites planned for the total constellation.