description IKONOS-2 Overview
IKONOS-2 was a commercial Earth observation satellite launched in 1999 by Space Imaging (later GeoEye). It holds the distinction of being the first satellite to deliver publicly available, high-resolution sub-meter imagery to civilian and commercial customers. Operating in a sun-synchronous orbit, it collected panchromatic imagery at 0.8-meter resolution and multispectral imagery at 3.2-meter resolution. Its data enabled new applications in urban planning, agriculture, and environmental monitoring.
help IKONOS-2 FAQ
Are IKONOS-2 and IKONOS the same satellite?
Yes, IKONOS-2 is the official name of the satellite that successfully reached orbit in 1999 and is universally referred to simply as IKONOS. The "2" designation was used because the original IKONOS-1 launch failed earlier that same year.
What was the launch vehicle for the IKONOS-2 satellite?
IKONOS-2 was launched aboard an Athena II rocket. The launch took place on September 24, 1999, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
Who were the primary civilian customers for IKONOS-2 imagery?
Space Imaging provided IKONOS-2 data to a wide variety of civilian customers, including city planners, agricultural firms, and environmental researchers. It was also heavily utilized by the military and intelligence communities through federal contracts.
At what altitude did the IKONOS-2 satellite orbit the Earth?
IKONOS-2 operated in a sun-synchronous low Earth orbit at an average altitude of approximately 681 kilometers. This specific orbit allowed it to pass over the Earth's surface at the same local time each day, ensuring consistent lighting for its imagery.
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