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WorldView-3 Satellite Provides Ultra-High-Resolution 31cm Earth Images

In satellite imagery, a pioneering development in the WorldView-3 satellite offers a new standard in ultra-high-resolution Earth imagery created at 31cm. This is an important advancement in geospatial technology, which opens up the potential to capture previously unseen detail across a wide range of industries, such as defence, urban planning, agriculture, environment, and more.


WorldView-3 Satellite Imagery
WorldView-3 Satellite Imagery

WorldView-3 Overview


WorldView-3 is a next-generation commercial Earth observation satellite, launched by DigitalGlobe (now Maxar Technology). It is designed to be able to take images from high resolution in multiple bands, and is one of the most versatile satellites in use today.


Key features include:


  • Spatial Resolution: 31cm panchromatic, 1.24m multispectral

  • Spectral Bands: 8 multispectral bands, 8 shortwave infrared (SWIR)

  • Revisit Time: Less than 1 day at 1-meter resolution.

  • Swath Width: 13.1 km per pass at nadir


With a resolution of 31cm, it is possible to identify objects smaller than 1 meter, which is a considerable improvement over satellite image resolution before this time. The resolution of the imagery enables the analyst to observe individual vehicles, more details about infrastructure, new roads, new buildings, and much more detail about landscape morphology.


Ultra-High-Resolution Imaging Capabilities


WorldView-3 uses sophisticated imaging technology to generate clarity and detail comparable to that of military satellites. Its imaging capabilities include the following:



  • Captures black and white images at a resolution of 31cm.

  • Good for detailed mapping and object identification.



  • Captures multispectral imagery at a resolution of 1.24m across 8 spectral bands.

  • Good for vegetation characterisation/analysis, water quality assessment, and urban planning.


  1. Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) Imaging


  • Allows visibility of minerals, soil moisture, and vegetation vitality.

  • Good for monitoring natural disasters, agriculture, and resource exploration.


Uses of 31cm Earth Imagery


The ultra-high-resolution imagery from WorldView-3 has broad applications across a wide array of industries:


  • Urban Planning & Smart Cities: In-depth mapping of roads, buildings, and infrastructure.

  • Agriculture: Farm monitoring, yield prediction, and pest/disease identification.

  • Defense & Security: Reconnaissance, border monitoring, and tracking assets.

  • Environmental Monitoring: Tracking deforestation, assessing water quality, and providing disaster relief.

  • Energy & Resources: Mining site analysis, oil & gas pipeline monitoring, and surveying land.


Advantages Over Traditional Satellite Imagery


When compared to traditional satellite imagery (1m–5m resolution), the 31cm resolution of WorldView-3 provides:


  • Finer Object Detection: The ability to identify smaller objects.

  • Improved Accuracy: Increased accuracy for geospatial analysis and mapping.

  • Multi-Spectral Insights: The ability to monitor land use, vegetation health, and geology.


WorldView-3 is a new era in commercial Earth observation, providing ultra-high-resolution 31cm imagery that can meet the increasing demand for precise and actionable geospatial data. Its panchromatic, multispectral and SWIR capabilities make it a truly disruptive innovation for many applications requiring high-quality Earth intelligence.


With commercial satellites such as WorldView-3, we have entered an era in which we can monitor every square inch of the Earth and monitor it with astounding precision.


For more information or any questions regarding the WorldView-3, 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


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