The Typical Size of a Satellite Image

The typical size of a satellite image can vary significantly based on the resolution and the specific satellite system used. Here are some key points regarding satellite image sizes:

1. Low Resolution (e.g., >30m GSD):

- These images cover large areas but with less detail. The file sizes can be relatively small, often in the range of 10 KB to 88 KB depending on the specific resolution and area covered.

2. Medium Resolution (e.g., 10m to 25m GSD):

- These images provide a balance between detail and coverage. The file sizes typically range from 22 KB to 2.2 MB.

3. High Resolution (e.g., 0.5m to 2m GSD):

- High-resolution images capture finer details, making them suitable for urban planning and environmental monitoring. File sizes for these images can be around 2.2 MB to 24.2 MB.

4. Very High Resolution (e.g., <0.5m GSD):

- Very high-resolution images, such as those from satellites like GeoEye-1, can have pixel sizes as small as 0.3m, resulting in larger file sizes, often exceeding 132.5 MB for the same area of interest due to the increased detail captured[2][4][5].

Summary of Typical Sizes

| Spatial Resolution | File Size Range |

|--------------------|------------------|

| Low Resolution | 10 KB - 88 KB |

| Medium Resolution | 22 KB - 2.2 MB |

| High Resolution | 2.2 MB - 24.2 MB |

| Very High Resolution | >132.5 MB |

The actual size of a satellite image will depend on the specific satellite, the area covered, and the compression techniques used.

Citations:

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_imagery

[2] https://earthi.space/resources/guide-to-image-data/

[3] https://www.euspaceimaging.com/products/satellite-imagery/image-specs/

[4] https://www.cloudeo.group/blog/cloudeo-blog-space-1/exploring-the-spectrum-of-satellite-imagery-spatial-resolutions-114

[5] https://intelligence.airbus.com/imagery/our-optical-and-radar-satellite-imagery/pleiades/

[6] https://landscape.satsummit.io/capture/resolution-considerations.html

[7] https://landinfo.com/buying-optical-satellite-imagery-the-top-ten-things-to-consider/

[8] https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/data/imagery/introduction-to-raster-data.htm