Spatial resolution is a topic we have emphasized repeatedly and will continue to emphasize out of necessity. In the world of geospatial analytics, spatial resolution is critical. Only high-resolution imagery analyzed by Satelytics’ artificial intelligence-based algorithms yields actionable results. Specific location, accurate measurements, and timely results are required to make alerts actionable.

Consider a few examples:

• If a new pipeline leak impacts a surface area measuring 1 meter by 1 meter, 25-meter resolution imagery won’t reveal it.
• A methane leak plume hiding among three other leak plumes of various sizes won’t be revealed using 100-meter resolution imagery.
• Individual trees encroaching on a high-voltage electrical transmission corridor can’t be seen with 30-meter resolution imagery.
• Criminal pipeline hot-tapping activities cannot be identified with 5-meter imagery.

To explain the importance of resolution in a fun way, Satelytics offers the following one-minute video.

Beware of statements that say 30-meter resolution imagery is “high-resolution.” Ask yourself what problems you can identify when each pixel is roughly the size of a football field.

To put it in context, Satelytics typically uses:

• 3.7-meter resolution shortwave infrared imagery to measure methane emissions flow rate, source location, and concentration, and
• 30-centimeter to 46-centimeter resolution near-infrared imagery — roughly the size of a dinner plate — to measure everything else.