An intriguing new image has surfaced, showcasing a satellite in orbit. This image is significant for several reasons.
Firstly, while there are countless satellites currently in space, it remains uncommon to see an authentic photograph—not merely a conceptual illustration—depicting one in its orbital environment. For instance, SpaceX has previously shared images of its Starlink satellites prepared for launch, stacked within a Falcon 9 payload compartment. However, clear visuals of satellites operationally deployed in space, complete with solar arrays unfurled like wings, are limited.
This trend is shifting as commercial enterprises continue to launch more imaging satellites into orbit. Several companies have begun to offer “non-Earth imaging” capabilities, repurposing Earth observation technologies to capture images of objects beyond our planet. Such imagery can provide valuable insights useful for military and corporate surveillance purposes.
Moreover, the Google Earth capture provides a vivid illustration of the satellite’s incredible speed. Objects in low-Earth orbit must travel at over 17,000 mph (approximately 27,000 km/h) to avoid re-entering the atmosphere.
While a previous image of a B-2 stealth bomber appeared slightly blurred due to its movement, the high velocity of the satellite introduced a different visual phenomenon. The satellite can be seen five times in varying colors, offering clues about the imaging process utilized. Airbus’ Pleiades satellites are equipped to capture images across multiple spectral bands: blue, green, red, panchromatic, and near-infrared.
In the lower left corner, the satellite’s silhouette is represented in near-infrared, followed by its appearances in red, blue, and green, culminating in the panchromatic image, which boasts the highest resolution. The Pleiades satellites typically photograph targets in quick succession and merge these color bands to create a close representation of what a human observer might perceive. However, this method encounters challenges when tracking objects moving at nearly five miles per second.
