How does Google Earth collect the satellite images?

Answer 1

Google has people ride around in either cars or on bikes. These vehicles have a 360 degree camera attached to the top that take the pictures for the street view interface. Once processed by Google the images are made available to both Google Earth and Google Maps simultaneously.

Answer 2

• Here's a citation from Mark Aubin's post at the Google Librarian Central, about the source of Google Images:

"We collect it via airplane and satellite, but also just about any way you can imagine getting a camera above the Earth's surface: hot air balloons, model airplanes - even kites."

Please see the whole post at the related link from Google.

• And, for extra credit, see the blog post about "How Google Earth (Really) Works" by a co-founder of Keyhole, who first built what became Google Earth.

Google Earth acquires their images from many sources. Some of these sources include from satellites in space, airplanes flying over particular locations, and people that drive along the street, taking pictures and video of the area.

Answer 3

Their satellite maps are created by taking pictures from space and putting them online. These maps are not always current but will give you a general idea of how certain areas look as far as development.

Answer 4

They collect their satellite images from a variety of cameras including; low level satellite Photography, aerial photography and even on occassion kite and balloon cameras. Though most people think that the images are live they are in fact three years old on average.