Uses for satellite maps have expanded greatly since the Soviet Union launched the first man-made satellite, Sputnik, in 1957. Satellites are no longer used solely at the discretion of governments. Rather, the images provided by communication and navigational satellites are part of a highly profitable market that provides many practical maps to consumers, including life-saving satellite weather maps.
Recently, satellite maps have been used to develop a variety of products that help business owners. Truck drivers, farmers, pilots, fisherman and business travelers can benefit from weather information revealed by live satellite maps. Drivers also can reduce time spent reviewing maps or time wasted getting lost by using global positioning systems (GPS), that are based on earth satellite maps.
Satellite image maps can help businesses in a variety of ways:
1. Real time satellite maps help business travelers get directions;
2. Earth satellite maps reveal geography characteristics to travelers and land users;
3. Satellite weather maps track weather;
4. Current satellite maps guide ships and airplanes; and,
5. Online satellite maps track vehicle fleets.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Show real estate properties using satellite maps
Use satellite maps to help real estate agents fit investors, business developers and others with the right properties. By using satellite maps, they can offer prospective buyers a look at area neighborhoods or land topography to narrow down choices for future site visits.
I recommend: Google Earth may be the best known satellite map program. This free program uses satellite images to allow users to see aerial views of most any address in the world or to zoom in for a street-level view. More complex versions are available for a fee. Real estate agents also use
TerraServer USA to provide those looking to buy property with a view of the area. This online map uses aerial satellite images.
Prepare for events or travel with satellite weather maps
Provide meteorologists with critical weather information from real-time satellite maps that can protect truckers on the road, pilots in the air or fishermen at sea.
I recommend: The Weather Channel offers online satellite maps that let users adjust for a variety of factors in order to view weather in different locations and on different dates, to view allergy information throughout the country, and to monitor weather safety issues.
Unisys Weather offers satellite image maps that are designed for meteorologists; however, Unisys offers detailed explanations so that casual users can understand the online satellite maps.
Guide drivers and track company vehicles with live satellite maps
Track direction and vehicles with a satellite world map that informs travelers of each turn they must make on a journey. The map can also can be used to track vehicles, allowing business owners to better organize their fleets.
I recommend: Garmin offers a variety of GPS devices to aid commercial fleets.
Magellan offers products that inform drivers of traffic problems and maps that provide detailed information for mountain areas or marine travelers with details about tides, currents and port information.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Find even more online satellite maps at local weather station websites. These stations also offer advice for local travelers that may not show up on a GPS device such as updates on recent flooding.
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