For-profit Earth-observing Firms Brace for Coming Flood of Free Data

摘要

Operators of three small commercial Earth observation satellite systems on Sept. 14 said they expect a negative impact on dieir business from the coming flood of free data from U.S. Landsat and future European Sentinel satellites, but that they are confident they can adapt to preserve their businesses. Owners of the five-satellite RapidEye. AG system of Germany, the five- or six-satellite DMC International Imaging of Britain and Spain's one-satellite Deimos all will feel the effects of U.S. and European government policies that provide Landsat and Sentinel low- and medium-resolution satellite imagery free of charge as a way to stimulate value-added markets.