top of page
Search

What new high-resolution satellites are expected to launch soon?

  • Writer: Anvita Shrivastava
    Anvita Shrivastava
  • Jul 2
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jul 3

In 2025, high-resolution satellite technology is pushing the envelope in the quickly developing field of Earth monitoring. The satellite launch pipeline is brimming with next-generation technologies as private enterprises and major space agencies compete to produce better, more frequent pictures. Future high-resolution satellites promise previously unheard-of geographical clarity and useful insights for everything from precision agriculture and urban planning to environmental monitoring and catastrophe response.


Here’s a look at the most anticipated high-resolution Earth observation satellites expected to launch soon and what they bring to the table.


New high-resolution satellites in 2025
New high-resolution satellites in 2025

1. Maxar’s WorldView Legion Series


Expected Launch: Mid to Late 2025

Resolution: Sub-30 cm

Operator: Maxar Technologies


Six WorldView Legion satellites have been launched by Maxar, further solidifying its position as the industry leader in commercial satellite imaging. These satellites will improve surveillance capabilities over high-demand areas, including cities, borders, and strategic zones, since they are built to deliver higher revisit rates and outstanding image clarity.


Important attributes:


  • Panchromatic resolution of less than 30 cm

  • Five daily reviews of important regions

  • Tasking and delivering real-time applications more quickly


2. Airbus Pléiades Neo Next


Expected Launch: Late 2025 – Early 2026

Resolution: 30 cm

Operator: Airbus Defence and Space


Airbus is preparing its next-generation improvements following the successful deployment of Pléiades Neo 3 and 4. Building on the prior architecture, these satellites will include AI-driven onboard processing and improved spectrum capabilities.


Important attributes:


  • Imaging at a resolution of 30 cm

  • AI onboard for quicker compression and image selection

  • Enhanced ability to respond to critical tasks (defence, natural disasters)


3. Planet’s Pelican Constellation


Expected Launch: Starting in 2025

Resolution: ~30 cm

Operator: Planet Labs


Planet's high-resolution constellation, Pelican, is intended to take the place of its fleet of SkySats. The Pelican satellites, which are built for high agility and quick revisit, will provide near real-time situational information to both government and commercial customers.


Important attributes:


  • Resolution of submeters with increased temporal frequency

  • Quick rates of return for ongoing observation

  • Scalable architecture to accommodate a range of sectors


4. BlackSky Gen-3 Satellites


Expected Launch: 2025

Resolution: ~50 cm

Operator: BlackSky Global


The third-generation satellites from BlackSky are designed to improve the geospatial intelligence services it provides. For defence, supply chain, and security purposes, these satellites will have enhanced multispectral photography and sophisticated onboard processing.


Important attributes:


  • Resolution of less than 50 cm

  • Platform for integrated analytics

  • Imaging with low latency and very instantaneous cloud access


5. India’s Cartosat-3A and Cartosat-4 Series


Expected Launch: Late 2025

Resolution: ~25 cm

Operator: ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)


With improvements to the Cartosat series, ISRO keeps pushing for ultra-high-resolution imagery. With an emphasis on strategic and civilian uses, Cartosat-3A is anticipated to produce crisper photos than its predecessor.


Important attributes:


  • Resolution of panchromatic images greater than 25 cm

  • High capacity for revisiting the Indian subcontinent

  • Support for defence planning and smart city initiatives


6. China’s SuperView Neo Constellation


Expected Launch: 2025

Resolution: ~30 cm

Operator: China Siwei


In order to compete in the global EO market, China's new SuperView Neo satellites will deliver ultra-high-resolution data. These satellites are designed for border surveillance, resource monitoring, and urban mapping.


Important attributes:


  • Optical resolution of 30 cm

  • Fast data transfer

  • Complete worldwide coverage


7. Albedo Clarity‑1 – First Very-Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) Imaging Satellite


  • Launch: March 18, 2025, aboard SpaceX Transporter‑13 rideshare

  • Orbit & Specs: Operating ~320 km altitude (about half the height of standard Earth-observation satellites)

  • Imaging Capabilities: Delivers ultra-high resolution—10 cm visible and 2 m thermal imagery


Clarity‑1 is the first in a planned 24‑satellite VLEO fleet to be completed over the next years.


Why High-Resolution Satellites Matter in 2025


Demand from a variety of businesses is driving the move toward sub-meter and sub-30 cm satellite imagery:


  • Environmental and Climate Monitoring

  • Disaster Recovery & Management

  • Mapping of Agriculture and Forestry

  • Smart Cities & Urban Development

  • National Security and Defence


The current generation of satellites is about speed, intelligence, and large-scale decision-making, not just clarity, thanks to enhanced revisit times, onboard AI, and hyperspectral photography.


A new era of geospatial intelligence is being heralded by the 2025 launch of high-resolution satellites. Whether you work as a defence analyst, environmental scientist, urban planner, or GIS specialist, the future of satellite imagery offers strong tools to better understand our planet than ever before.


Stay tuned to the skies—because the next big revolution in data is orbiting just above us.


For more information or any questions regarding satellite technology, please don't hesitate to contact us at


USA (HQ): (720) 702–4849

India: 98260-76466 - Pradeep Shrivastava

Canada: (519) 590 9999

Mexico: 55 5941 3755

UK & Spain: +44 12358 56710


Comentários

bottom of page