Buyer's Guide
Top satellite imagery companies
Satellite imagery companies vary widely in resolution, revisit rate, coverage, and how they deliver data — and the right one depends entirely on what you're trying to see. Here's a rundown of the leading providers, what each is known for, and how to access them all through a single SkyWatch account.
The landscape
Who's who in satellite imagery
From climate research and emergency response to city planning and crop monitoring, satellite imagery companies sit behind decisions made every day. Some operate large optical constellations that re-image the planet daily; others specialize in radar that sees through cloud and darkness, or hyperspectral sensors that read the materials in a scene.
You no longer need a separate contract with each operator to use their data. SkyWatch brings these providers into one platform, so you can compare, order, and download imagery from any of them in the same place.
The rundown
The leading satellite imagery companies
Airbus
One of the most established names in Earth observation, Airbus operates the Pléiades Neo, Pléiades, and SPOT optical constellations alongside TerraSAR-X radar and global elevation models. Its sub-meter imagery and deep worldwide archive make it a default choice for defense, mapping, and agriculture programs that need proven, large-area coverage.
Vantor (formerly Maxar)
Vantor delivers some of the sharpest commercial optical imagery available — down to 15 cm — plus seamless basemaps and 3D elevation. Defense agencies, disaster responders, and analysts rely on its very-high-resolution views and extensive archive for everything from conflict monitoring to precise mapping.
Planet
Planet pairs daily, broad-area monitoring with agile SkySat sub-meter tasking and its next-generation Tanager hyperspectral satellite. That high-frequency revisit is built for tracking change over time, which makes Planet popular with agriculture, government, and sustainability teams.
ICEYE
ICEYE runs the world's largest SAR constellation, prioritizing frequent radar revisit over any single location. It's widely used for flood mapping, insurance, and persistent monitoring, where consistent all-weather coverage matters more than maximum detail.
Umbra
Umbra delivers ultra-high-resolution SAR, with spotlight tasking down to 25 cm — among the sharpest commercial radar available. Its imagery supports defense, change detection, and precise measurement in conditions optical sensors simply can't see through.
Wyvern
Wyvern provides hyperspectral imagery from its Dragonette satellites, built for precision monitoring of crops, ecosystems, and natural resources. Its data helps teams detect subtle changes in plant health and surface materials well before they're visible to the eye.
CSA (RADARSAT)
The Canadian Space Agency's RADARSAT program provides C-band SAR for wide-area, all-weather monitoring. Its radar coverage is widely used for maritime surveillance and environmental observation across large regions, day or night and through cloud.
These are just a few of the operators available through SkyWatch. Browse the full lineup — optical, radar, hyperspectral, and thermal — on our geospatial data providers page.
Not sure which provider fits your project?
Resolution, revisit rate, and sensor type all shape the right choice. Our guide walks through how to weigh them.
One platform, every provider
Skip the individual contracts and buy imagery from the companies above in EXPLORE. New to buying? Start with how to buy satellite imagery and satellite imagery pricing. Comparing tools rather than companies? See our satellite imagery platform comparison.