Satellite OSINT 2026
2026 ExpansionCritical context (2026): The Economist (15 March 2026) documented "Open-source intelligence shuts down" — Planet Labs enacted an indefinite blackout over the Middle East following the Gaza war; Maxar, Planet and BlackSky restricted commercial imagery. In parallel, democratization via SkyFi ($15 per image) and Copernicus Browser (ESA, free) continues. This is the defining tension of GEOINT in 2026.
43.1 Verified Tools
| Tool | URL | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Copernicus Browser | https://browser.dataspace.copernicus.eu | Sentinel-1/2/3/5P free, full resolution |
| SkyFi | https://skyfi.com | Multi-provider marketplace ($15/image) |
| Sentinel Hub | https://www.sentinel-hub.com | Commercial over Sentinel data |
| NASA Worldview | https://worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov | Near-real-time satellite |
| USGS Earth Explorer | https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov | USGS catalogue (Landsat, MODIS) |
| Planet Labs | https://www.planet.com | Daily commercial satellite (may be restricted) |
| Maxar | https://www.maxar.com | High resolution (may be restricted post-Gaza) |
| Umbra Space | https://www.umbra.space | High-resolution SAR |
43.2 Satellite OSINT Workflow — 7 Steps
- Start with Copernicus Browser (free, historical archive from 2015+, Sentinel-2 at 10 m resolution).
- If you need near-real-time: NASA Worldview (latency <3 hours for MODIS).
- For new tasking or sub-meter resolution: SkyFi ($15+ per selective image, multi-provider).
- Before publishing: verify the provider's EULA (Planet/Maxar may revoke publication rights).
- Document source + timestamp + cloud cover % for every image used.
- For chronolocation: combine with historical imagery from Google Earth Pro (free).
- For SAR (cloud-penetrating): Copernicus Sentinel-1 or Umbra (commercial).
43.3 Verified Learning Resources
- Bellingcat — How to Use Free Satellite Imagery (May 2024)
- GIJN Reporter's Tipsheet — Free Satellite Images