AAMHatch confirms the hype to be true. GeoEye-1 stereo satellite imagery is capable of producing Digital Terrain Models (DTM) with better then 0.5m vertical accuracy. AAMHatch tasked the GeoEye-1 satellite to capture stereo data over a 270sqkm area in Eastern Australia. The application was an engineering study for the energy sector with the client requiring a 0.5m ortho-image with 2m contours.

GeoEye-1’s unsurpassed agility and maneuverability assists in rapid stereo capture. This image was cloud-free, and delivered to AAMHatch for processing within 48 hours of capture.

Survey accurate ground control points, distributed evenly across the area, were used in the image processing. These points enabled consistent accuracies to be derived throughout the project area. The accuracies achieved after generating both the ortho-image and the DTM are unsurpassed by any existing optical satellite system, exceeding the client’s and AAMHatch’s expectations. In both vertical and horizontal planes, accuracy results of better then 0.5m were achieved.

Contours at 2m interval are normally created from a DTM with Z accuracy of 0.6m RMS. The GeoEye-1 DTM was found to have an accuracy of 0.39m RMS, which is equivalent to a contour interval of around 1.3m. These results are pleasing to both our clients and GeoEye.

Users should note that in practice anyone can generate contours at any interval desired, however, these products may not be ‘fit for purpose’. Most clients should be confident about how accurate their products really are! From a purist view, the National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy specification states that DTMs can be used to create contours with an interval approximately 3.25 times the vertical accuracy of the DTM. The results will then conform to the standard of having 90% of the contours within half the contour interval.

AAMHatch will supply more quantitative studies about our products in the coming months, however, feel free to send us your results to share with others.

AAMHatch is the authorised reseller of GeoEye products in the Oceania region and has been supplying satellite imagery from the IKONOS satellite for several years. GeoEye-1 is the new sister satellite to IKONOS, and was launched in September last year. GeoEye-1 is currently the highest resolution earth imaging colour satellite commercially available, capturing 0.5m imagery. GeoEye-1 can image almost any region of the earth and is being used by a range of industries including mining, engineering, environment, agriculture, government and defence.

Contact AAMHatch for information about GeoEye-1 and how it will benefit your organisation. Visit our website for further details www.aamhatch.com/satellite


About AAMHatch
AAMHatch is at the forefront of the spatial information technology revolution. AAMHatch’s dynamic team pioneers the commercialisation of exciting innovations such as:

���� High Resolution Satellite Imagery (submetre)

���� Pictometry - Visualise & Analyse

���� Large format, aerial digital imaging

���� Airborne LiDAR

���� Terrestrial Laser Scanning

���� 360 degree video (fully spherical video)

Operating from an extensive office network throughout Australia, South East Asia and South Africa; AAMHatch specialises in providing business mapping, GIS and Location Based Services. AAMHatch’s proven technology leadership includes a range of advanced systems for the collection, analysis and presentation of geospatial information. Using these tools AAMHatch has built an extensive library of ‘off the shelf” digital photography, satellite imagery and high resolution digital terrain models.

The AAMHatch Group is a multi disciplinary team of more than 200 geospatial professionals. AAMHatch has an award-winning culture of project management excellence that actively contributes to client success.

For more information, visit www.aamhatch.com

About GeoEye
GeoEye is the premier provider of geospatial information for the national security community, strategic partners, resellers and commercial customers to help them better map, measure and monitor the world. The Company is recognized as the industry's trusted imagery expert for delivering reliable service and the exceptional quality of its imagery products and solutions. It operates a constellation of Earth imaging satellites, mapping aircraft and has an international network of ground stations, a robust imagery archive, and advanced imagery processing capabilities for developing innovative geospatial products and solutions. On September 6, the Company launched its GeoEye-1 satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The Company also provides support to academic institutions and non-governmental organizations through the GeoEye Foundation. Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, GeoEye is a public company listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the symbol GEOY. It maintains a comprehensive Quality Management System (QMS) and has achieved company-wide ISO accreditation. For more information, visit www.geoeye.com