BackForward Satellite Programme: WorldView 

Programme details
Programme description
  • Series of satellites for high-resolution land observation.
  • Commercially-based programme, initiated in 1993 by WorldView Imaging Corporation replaced by EarthWatch Incorporated in 1995 and DigitalGlobe since 2002.   In 2017 the Maxar Technologies Holdings Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA, took over QuickBird and the follow-on series WorldView.
  • The platforms are actively stabilised over 3 axes.
  • The design life time is 7 years.
  • The satellites exploit a sunsynchronous orbit around 10:30.
  • The replacement policy is to launch satellites at roughly 5-year intervals.
  • The six WorldView Legion satellites launched from 2022 will replace the original WorldView satellite series.
  • For details on the DigitalGlobe company see http://www.digitalglobe.com.
Data circulation
  • Data are stored onboard and downlinked to stations managed by DigitalGlobe.
  • In addition, real-time data are downlinked to appointed local users.
  • Data distribution is implemented by DigitalGlobe through a number of cooperating entities.
Agencies Maxar , DigitalGlobe
Programme lifetime 2001 - 2030
Associated satellites and instruments

Note: red tag => no longer operational , green tag => operational , blue tag => planned