Maxar Technologies has just unveiled an exciting new upgrade to their popular global basemap.
The new and improved Vivid Standard boasts a remarkable 30-centimeter per pixel resolution, a significant improvement from the previous 50-centimeter resolution, making it the most detailed global basemap yet.
Thanks to this enhanced resolution, the Vivid Standard has the capability to identify even the smallest of structures. Moreover, the basemap provides a highly accurate view of new roads, buildings, and vegetation, making it an essential tool for those who rely on precise mapping information.
“We are able to do a lot more things with 30-centimeter imagery, which we have not been able to do previously,” explained Sid Dixit, Maxar’s vice president of engineering and product. “We can identify structures like bus stops and traffic lights, and we get a very accurate view of new roads, vegetation and buildings.”
Maxar’s Vivid Standard basemap is available to over 220 customers, who can utilize it for a range of applications, including training, gaming, and planning. By coupling the basemap with artificial intelligence, organizations can create highly realistic 3D simulations, which will undoubtedly transform the way we interact with maps.
To create the Vivid Standard, Maxar combines an incredible 400,000 image strips, maintaining image consistency by using cloud-free imagery from the spring and summer months. The new basemap includes both native 30-centimeter per pixel resolution imagery and lower-resolution imagery enhanced through the use of AI and machine learning.
Maxar’s team is not stopping here, as they plan to continue to improve the Vivid basemap even further by aiming for an unprecedented 15 centimeters per pixel resolution in the future. This order of magnitude improvement would undoubtedly revolutionize our understanding of the world from space.
Overall, the new Vivid Standard basemap is a remarkable achievement that showcases Maxar’s commitment to innovation and technology. We can’t wait to see what other groundbreaking developments will come from these industry innovators in the future.
When assessing the growth trajectory of the space sector in both the US and UK, the scale tilts significantly in favour of the former. The US, known for its innovative spirit and forward-thinking approach, has had an accelerated growth trajectory in space exploration and commercialisation. The US space industry has expanded at an impressive pace, driven by a combination of public and private investments, as well as the audacious goals set forth by 
The resource and funding differences between the US and the UK space sectors underscore the scale of the Atlantic Divide. The significant disparity in financial muscle between the US and UK underscores the differing pace and scale of their space ambitions. As we delve deeper into their funding strategies, we can better understand the constraints and opportunities that shape each nation’s trajectories in space exploration and innovation.
When you pull back the curtain on the employment practices in the US and UK, it’s evident that their distinctive approaches contribute significantly to the unique pace of their respective space industries.
While the US has a firm footing in the space industry, the UK, despite its modest size, has a unique set of strengths and opportunities that can help narrow the Atlantic divide. Here’s a look at some potential ways forward for the UK:
Recognizing the vital role of 
While technical expertise often takes center stage in space industry recruitment, the power of transferable skills – honed in various industries and roles – cannot be underestimated. They provide a new perspective to address and solve challenges. Here are some key transferable skills to consider:
Keeping ahead of the space industry curve is the key to remaining competitive. By continuously monitoring and adapting to industry trends, companies can position themselves at the forefront of innovation. Some key strategies are:
Building a robust workforce extends beyond recruitment. It involves nurturing a culture that not only values innovation but also creates an environment where each member feels valued, included, and driven to contribute their best. This is a culture that cherishes fresh ideas, encourages employees to push boundaries, and sees value in the diversity of thoughts.
Remember, constructing an elite space workforce is an ongoing journey, and EVONA is here to support you every step of the way. Our industry-specific knowledge, resources, and experience ensure your workforce is ideally positioned to excel in the space sector. As we journey towards a more space-oriented future, remember that the power to shape that future lies within your team.
Space technology plays a pivotal role in monitoring the effects of climate change on marine environments. Satellites accurately measure
Satellites aid in 
The tale begins in 1969 with the epoch-defining Apollo 11 mission, an expedition replete with risk, excitement, and uncertainties. The astronauts themselves, with their unconventional ‘insurance covers’ – autographed postal covers that their families could sell in case of an unfortunate event – challenged our traditional perception of insurance. These postal covers, although not a formal insurance policy, were an ingenious method of financial protection, showing the innovative spirit that pervades space exploration.
Beyond tangible assets, insurers have also had to consider the human element of space travel. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin’s monumental moon landing in 1969 wasn’t just a historical moment; it was also a landmark for insurance. The astronauts secured their families’ futures through an unconventional method – autographed envelopes, known as ‘Apollo Insurance Covers’, that would be sold in case their mission ended in tragedy.
Arguably the most complex and costly structure ever crafted by humanity, the International Space Station (ISS), strikingly lacks an insurance policy. Despite the inherent risks – space debris, spacecraft dockings, solar flares – the ISS is a unique case where the cost to insure it would be prohibitive, considering the U.S. alone has invested over $75 billion in the project.
In 1984, we witnessed Lloyd’s of London writing an unparalleled policy – a jaw-dropping $100 million insurance policy for the Intelsat 507 satellite. When the satellite was tragically left in a useless orbit by a malfunctioning rocket engine, Lloyd’s shelled out the full amount, marking the largest ever space insurance claim, and significantly reshaping the space insurance landscape.
As the calendar turned to the 21st century, space tourism emerged as a new frontier, birthing yet another extraordinary class of insurance policies. A poignant example of this is Dennis Tito, the first space tourist, who reportedly paid a substantial premium for a $20 million insurance policy to cover his journey to the International Space Station in 2001.
Fast-forward to the private spaceflight era, with companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin leading the charge, insurance has taken a turn for the gargantuan. The insurance value of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft is estimated to be in the ballpark of $450 million, showcasing the sky-high stakes of modern space exploration.
One of the more whimsical entries in this list has to be the alien abduction insurance, first sold by the St. Lawrence Agency in Florida. This peculiar policy, while primarily novelty, underscores the far-reaching imagination of insurance agents and the enduring allure of the unknown in space.
The realm of space-related insurance has seen the inclusion of not just terrestrial or human elements but an array of incredible celestial instruments. One such is the Hubble Space Telescope, an interstellar gem that has irrevocably transformed our view of the cosmos. Insured for an astonishing $10 billion, the Hubble has contributed immeasurably to astronomy.
Satellites, the sentinels of our space age, have also been subjects of massive insurance premiums. A notable case in point is the Intelsat IS-27, insured for a staggering $400 million. Its mission was tragically cut short when it plunged into the Atlantic, representing one of the heftiest insurance payouts in space history.
The space insurance domain extends its reach to ambitious exploratory missions such as the Mars Rover “Curiosity”. This robotic space explorer, valued and insured at an incredible $2.5 billion, has been surveying the Martian landscape since 2012, bringing priceless insights about the planet’s geological past and potential for life.
As we march forward into the era of commercial spaceflight, the scope of space-related insurance continues to evolve. Take, for instance, Elon Musk’s SpaceX Falcon Heavy. Its test mission in 2018, which involved launching a Tesla Roadster into space, represented a thrilling blend of audacity, innovation, and risk. The Tesla, fondly christened ‘Starman’, while its exact insurance value remains undisclosed, is believed to be in the multi-million dollar range.
No matter the type or scale, change at work can be a considerable source of anxiety and uncertainty. 
Change in the workplace can appear in many forms: new procedures, modified strategies, implementation of new technologies, or even structural shifts in the organization. Regardless, change is an integral part of professional growth and organizational success. Learning to embrace workplace change rather than fear it sets a positive tone for your journey. Adapting to change requires an understanding of the ‘why’ behind it. A shift in perspective that change is not disruptive but rather a necessary step forward can greatly ease the transition.
Clear, open communication is vital when navigating change at work. Understanding the details of change—the ‘what’, ‘why’, and ‘how’—can significantly reduce the intimidation factor associated with it. Poignantly, 
Change, particularly at work, can elicit a range of emotions. 
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from challenges and setbacks. It involves maintaining a positive attitude, managing stress effectively, and staying focused on your professional objectives. Developing resilience equips you to not only manage change at work, but turn it into and opportunity for personal and professional growth.
Adaptability is an essential trait for thriving in a changing workplace. It’s more than just compliance with new procedures or technologies; it involves an understanding of their value and an active participation in their implementation.
Continuous learning offers valuable insight into change. This could involve attending a workshop, enrolling in an online course, or staying updated with industry trends. Knowledge fortifies readiness for future changes, keeping you one step ahead.
Change at work doesn’t happen in isolation. It affects your entire team, and how you handle it together can either strengthen your team dynamics or challenge them. Emphasize collective problem-solving, encourage open dialogue, and foster an environment that welcomes diverse perspectives. This will not only ease the process of change but will also create an empowered, resilient, and cohesive team ready to take on any future changes.
Leadership plays a pivotal role in dealing with change at work. In fact, the number one reason for resistance to change is a lack of trust in leadership, according to Oak Change Report. In the same report, they found that 74% of employees believe leaders need to do more to understand the root causes of resistance to change in the workplace. Effective leaders provide clear direction, maintain open lines of communication, and support their team through the transition. The leadership style employed during periods of change can significantly impact the team’s receptiveness to it.
Are you ready to channel this transformative power of change into an entirely new career path? Do you have an interest in exploring the vast potential of the space industry? At EVONA, we specialize in connecting passionate professionals with transformative roles in this exciting field.