On this day in space! Aug. 13, 2014: Game-changing WorldView-3 Earth-observing satellite launches to orbit

On August 13, 2014, the world witnessed the launch of a groundbreaking satellite named WorldView-3. Manufactured by DigitalGlobe, this satellite was a technological marvel, boasting the highest resolution of any non-governmental spacecraft at the time. With the ability to discern objects as small as 1 foot (31 centimeters) in size, WorldView-3 soared into the cosmos aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, launching from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Since its deployment, this Earth-observing satellite has been diligently circling our planet, revolutionizing the field of Earth observation.

The WorldView-3 satellite's significance lies in its advanced capabilities. It could create mosaic images, deliver data at unprecedented speeds, and, most impressively, peer through natural barriers like fog and smoke. This unique feature allowed scientists to observe Earth's surface with unprecedented detail, transforming the way we study our planet from space.

The data collected by WorldView-3 has been instrumental in tracking methane emissions from offshore oil and gas rigs, a crucial step considering methane's potent greenhouse gas effect and its contribution to climate change.

Moreover, WorldView-3's data is meticulously sorted by an algorithm designed to filter, process, and color-correct images, ensuring the data's accuracy despite atmospheric interference. By analyzing the wealth of imagery and data generated by such satellites, researchers can now better comprehend the sources of climate change, monitor deforestation, assess agricultural practices, and study the impact of natural disasters like wildfires.

An unexpected yet remarkable discovery made possible by WorldView-3 in 2015 was the identification of a presumed lost Viking village in Newfoundland. The satellite's near-infrared imagery proved instrumental in helping an international team of archaeologists unearth this significant historical find, marking the second Viking settlement ever discovered in North America.