IFTN, Clear 30 or Google Imagery?

In eMap's May 2010 GeoView, I speculated on the future of Imagery For The Nation (IFTN) given that DigitalGlobe/Microsoft had announced their Clear30 (30 cm imagery) nationwide acquisition program. The program began last October and is now well on its way.

Below is a sneak preview of Clear30 imagery collected over Tampa Bay, Florida in mid-2010.

Well don't throw IFTN under the bus yet. On July 15th, NGA released an Unclassified Request for Information (RFI) to "identify commercial capabilities, potential sources, and conduct market research to help determine the most effective and efficient options for the collection, processing, management, and distribution of geospatially enabled imagery products to meet national requirements for a potential effort called Imagery for the Nation."

The NGA RFI "is divided into three independent parts: 1) "One-meter, Leaf-on Requirement," an annual high resolution collection; 2) "30-centimenter or Finer Requirement," very high resolution to be acquired on a three year cycle or less; and 3) "Common Requirement," relating to both 1) and 2)."

But wait the plot thickens, the geospatial roamer mill has been buzzing for some time that Google has also thrown its hat into the ring: first with its purchase of Image America, an aerial photography firm; then the rumored purchase of numerous imaging aircraft; and finally the active recruiting of a geospatial professional to run a large airborne imagery acquisition program.

Is it possible that we in the geospatial profession could be the beneficiary of three separate high resolution aerial imagery collections over the USA? Or could the NGA-RFI be a 'dark' plot to have both DG/Microsoft and Google compete for government monies to complete a commercial IFTN program?

I don't know the answer to this question but I do know that now is a very good time to be in the aerial imagery acquisition business.

David K. Nale
President/CEO
Certified Photogrammetrist
Certified Mapping Scientist
Professional Land Surveyor