GeoEye-1 Is Google's Eye In The Sky

Google Maps is going high-definition with GeoEye-1, a satellite launched by GeoEye, an aerial and geospatial information company.

GeoEye-1 was launched Sept. 6 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and has been going through calibration and check-out since it was launched. This week, the satellite returned its first images.

"We are pleased to release the first GeoEye-1 image, bringing us even closer to the start of the satellite's commercial operations and sales to our customers," said Matthew O'Connell, GeoEye's CEO. "This is a remarkable achievement, and I want to thank all of our employees, customers, especially the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, strategic partners, vendors and investors for their support."

Later this fall, GeoEye expects to begin selling images from the satellite to customers.

The satellite functions by simultaneously collecting 0.41-meter ground resolution black-and-white imagery in its panchromatic mode and 1.65-meter color. However, due to U.S. licensing restrictions, customers will only be able to purchase imagery processed to half-meter resolution.

The satellite's images are good news for Google because it allows crisper, high-definition images to populate Google Maps. Now, instead of wondering whether or not the fuzzy, slightly out-of-focus silver blob in your driveway is your car, you'll be able to tell for sure.

The first images GeoEye returned are of Kutztown University in Pennsylvania. The images are rather striking.

Of course, this does mean that Google will likely embark on another round of imaging to update its maps. That could mean more embarrassing acts caught on film that most people would rather not have see the light of day. It also means that Google—which is already notorious for storing user information—now has a big eye in the sky that may, at some point, be trained on you.

You might want to keep the curtains shut, but at least you'll still be able to see whether the Johnsons next door decided to install that in-ground pool.