The GeoEye-1 satellite launched yesterday will
simultaneously collect both 16-inch (0.41-meter) ground resolution black-and-white images and 5.5- foot (1.65-meter) color images. Due to U.S. licensing restrictions, commercial customers will get access to imagery at half-meter ground resolution.
Google signed a deal with GeoEye Inc to use the imagery probably for Google Earth, when it starts arriving in 45-60 days.
[above, Rainbow Bridge, Utah, from GeoEye.com, but not from the new satellite camera]