High resolution satellite imagery at 0.3 m, 1.5 m and 10 m
Choose the pixel size that matches the decision, from regional context to individual objects.
Satellite imagery is available at several resolution tiers, each with a different cost, coverage and use. Darkocean supplies imagery at 0.3 m, 1.5 m and 10 m and helps you match the tier to the question. Where more detail is needed from existing imagery, Darkocean's super resolution processing can sharpen it.
Individual vehicles, vessels and structures
Buildings, roads, shorelines and layouts
Regional coverage and routine monitoring
Orthorectified, georeferenced rasters
What does imagery resolution mean?
Resolution here is ground sample distance: the size on the ground of one pixel. At 10 m a pixel covers a 10 by 10 m square, which suits land cover, coastal change and large-area monitoring. At 1.5 m, buildings, roads, jetties and tank farms become recognisable. At 0.3 m individual vehicles, small craft and equipment layouts can be picked out.
Finer imagery costs more per square kilometre and covers a narrower swath, so it is normally tasked or purchased for targeted areas, while 10 m data such as Sentinel-2 provides frequent, wide coverage and a history to compare against.
Imagery quality also depends on cloud cover, sun angle, off-nadir viewing angle and, over water, glint. Imagery is orthorectified so that it overlays accurately on maps and survey data.
Super resolution uses trained models to recover sharper detail from lower-resolution input. It improves interpretability but does not add information that was not captured, so we treat it as an aid to interpretation rather than a measurement source.
How it works
Scope
Define the area, the features you need to see and the dates that matter.
Select
Pick the resolution tier and source that balance detail, cost and cloud risk.
Process
Orthorectify, mosaic and colour-balance the scenes.
Deliver
Provide rasters and tiles ready for GIS or web viewing.
What you receive
Imagery
a. Orthorectified GeoTIFF mosaics
b. Web map tiles
c. Archive and new acquisition options
Enhancement
a. Super resolution upscaled outputs
b. Colour-balanced composites
Where it is used
Site selectionReview coastal and port sites before field work begins.
Asset mappingDigitise buildings, roads, pipelines and tanks.
Shoreline monitoringCompare dated images to see coastline change.
Maritime awarenessCount vessels and see anchorage use at 0.3 m.
BasemapsSupply a consistent backdrop for survey and GIS deliverables.
Object detectionFeed imagery to detection models for automated counting.
Which resolution do you need?
| 0.3 m to 1.5 m | 10 m | |
|---|---|---|
| Detail | Individual objects and structures | Landscape-scale features |
| Coverage | Targeted areas | Regional, repeated often |
| Cost | Higher per square kilometre | Low, with free archives |
| Best for | Mapping and inspection | Monitoring and screening |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 0.3 m and 1.5 m imagery?
At 0.3 m a pixel is 30 cm, enough to see vehicles and small craft. At 1.5 m the same object is less than one pixel across, though buildings, roads and jetties remain clear.
Can imagery replace a survey?
No. Imagery shows what is visible and is excellent for context and planning, but heights, depths and precise positions need survey data.
How recent is the imagery?
It depends on the source. Archive imagery is quicker and cheaper, while new acquisition is tasked for a date window and subject to weather.
What is super resolution?
A model-based method that sharpens lower-resolution imagery. It helps with interpretation but cannot recover detail that was never recorded.
Which imagery resolution suits your project?
Share your area and the features you need to see and we will recommend a tier and source.
