None of these satellites will improve on the maximum resolution of Google Maps. Physics prevents it. They would need to be MUCH larger to get better resolution.

None of these satellites will improve on the maximum resolution of Google Maps. Physics prevents it. They would need to be MUCH larger to get better resolution. Like: http://spaceref.com/onorbit/kh-9-hexagon-spy-satellite-makes-a-rare-public-outing-%28photos-and-video%29.html http://spaceref.com/onorbit/kh-9-hexagon-spy-satellite-makes... What they may be able to do is get more up to date information. I think this makes Planet Labs really interesting. With 28 satellites (even if only 20 make it operational) you still end up with being able to image every point on earth every hour or so contingent on cloud cover (granted we're talking really low resolution because those cameras are little more than a hand-held Canon lens you see at sports events). The problem I'd be curious about for PlanetLabs is how they plan to downlink their information back down to earth. They wont be able to afford access to something like TDRSS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracking_and_Data_Relay_Satellite_System http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracking_and_Data_Relay_Satelli...) but they may be able to do some really cool mesh networks to always get access to a single ground station. That would be a really cool and unique solution. Otherwise they need to wait for each satellite to fly over a single ground station which would only happen every 9 hours or so if they are lucky.