The photos are taken from approximately 400 miles above the Earth's surface as the satellite travels at 4.5 miles per second. Automobiles are clearly distinguishable, but people appear more as dots. Space Imaging has a page with various photo resolutions to demonstrate Ikonos' abilities compared to what is already out there. Space Imaging does work for agriculture, mapping, state and local governments, oil and gas, utilities, emergency response, telecommunications, national security, insurance, and others. It is expected that Ikonos images will available to customers by the end of the year.
SI distributes several different types of imagery and even software.
There is also a great deal of technical data regarding Ikonos and Space Imaging in general that industry reps and astronomers would have a better time understanding, it is refreshing when a site presents so much information. It used to be that ordinary people only had to worry about their governments, and criminals invading their privacy, but now anyone can spy on everyone.