Pan-sharpening and Geometric Correction

On October 8, 2009, WorldView-2 joined its sister satellites, WorldView-1 and QuickBird, in orbit. WorldView-2 is a remote-sensing satellite principally used to capture high-resolution images of the earth. The images provided by the satellite can be used for applications such as mapping, land planning, disaster relief, exploration, defense and intelligence, visualization and simulation of environments, and classification. WorldView-2 was designed and developed by Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp, US, and is operated by DigitalGlobe Corporate (DigitalGlobe). The satellite can swing rapidly from one target to another, allowing broad images of many targets. The satellite was launched into orbit through the Ball commercial platform (BCP) 5000 spacecraft bus on the piggyback of Boeing Delta II on 8 October 2009. Worldview2 can operate at an altitude of 770km with an inclination of 97.2° for a maximum orbital period of 100 minutes. Worldview-2 is the third satellite in orbit in DigitalGlobe's constellation, and joins its forerunners Worldview-1 (launched in 2007) and QuickBird (launched in 2001). The satellite has been designed to have a lifespan of 7.5 years.