DigitalGlobe's IKONOS satellite sensor was successfully launched on September 24, 1999 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, USA. It is the first commercial high-resolution earth observation satellite in the world. Its capabilities include capturing a 3.2m multispectral, Near-Infrared (NIR)/0.82m panchromatic resolution at nadir. As a result of deregulation by the U.S. Government, reconnaissance satellite technology was diverted for civilian use in the form of this satellite, which has a maximum, high degree of resolution of 82 cm. It is able to perform imaging or acquire images around the world through panchromatic multi-sensors that boast a high degree of precision.