U.S. Commercial Remote Sensing Satellite Industry: As Analysis of Risks

Abstract : Since the advent of Earth observation satellites nearly four decade ago, governments have been the leading providers and users of satellite imagery data. However, this has recently changed as several U.S. and foreign companies have begun to acquire and launch their own imaging satellite systems. Some American firms are already operating their own imaging satellite systems (e.g., Orbimage's Orbview-2 and Space Imaging's IKONOS). These companies aim to become an important part of the U.S. commercial remote sensing industry, which today largely consists of aerial data providers and the value-added firms that play an important role in converting raw imagery data into the products desired by customers. Success for these new U.S. commercial remote sensing satellite firms heavily depends on both understanding and overcoming various risks (e.g., technical, market, policy and regulatory) that could diminish their prospects in the highly competitive global marketplace for geospatial information products and services. Within this context, U.S. government policies and regulations exert a major influence on the ability of U.S. remote sensing satellite firms to realize their competitive potential in both the domestic and international marketplaces.