Right now, more than 4,000 satellites are orbiting Earth. Ranging from the size of a football field (the International Space Station) to the size of a toaster, satellites are many shapes and sizes, built to meet specific needs, like taking photos of Earth, monitoring climate and weather conditions, and providing navigation, television, phone or internet services. Satellite technology plays a pivotal role in our everyday lives, even when we don't notice it.
Your morning routine might include checking your phone, whether it’s scrolling through your news and social feed or looking at your calendar to prepare for the day. Accessing this information is made possible by communications satellites that enable internet connectivity.
Should you wear a sweater or a T-shirt? Satellites provide weather insights on daily conditions, regional developments and climate patterns that affect communities and economies across the globe.
How’s the air quality for your walk to work? Scientists at NASA are researching the role major air pollutants play in our well-being and environment. From a high orbit, TEMPO—a pollution-monitoring instrument—will track pollution around the Northern Hemisphere. A Maxar-built satellite will bring the instrument with it into orbit.
Learn moreCommunications satellites enable immediate upload of news from anywhere in the world, connecting you to stories that matter and providing transparency into global events.
A video call with family or colleagues requires reliable broadband connectivity, which depends on trusted satellite technology in space. Satellites enable communication that not only helps us maintain our social connections but also bolsters distance learning, telemedicine, disaster response and other vital services.
Using a map on your phone to find the nearest coffee shop? Chances are the mapping application on your phone giving you real-time information is powered by the satellite imagery collected by Maxar’s satellites.
Tracking the status of your food order? As soon as a delivery person picks up your food, a map created by Maxar satellite imagery is tracking their location and showing you where they are in proximity to your house.
Perhaps you’re looking for a trailhead for a hike after work? The map is probably sourced from Maxar satellite imagery, providing you with an accurate view of where to go.
The Maxar constellation collects more than 1 billion square kilometers of high-resolution satellite imagery each year—powering mapping applications with the highest quality view of the world.