Skybox Imaging (Skybox), an emerging provider of timely high-resolution satellite imagery and full motion video, has entered into a multi-year, strategic partnership with Japan Space Imaging (JSI), a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation, to provide high-resolution imagery and full motion commercial video to the Japanese market.

The agreement, subject to U.S. regulatory approval, will enable JSI to directly task, downlink and receive imagery from Skybox's constellation of microsatellites on a reliable and frequent basis.

Skybox will provide JSI a rapidly deployable ground station, called a SkyNode, comprised of a 2.4 meter communications antenna and two racks of supporting software and equipment.

Skybox is pioneering the use of Apache Hadoop, an open-source framework that allows for the distributed processing of large data sets, for geospatial applications.

Skybox has designed the SkyNode software suite to enable customers to efficiently schedule imagery collections, task satellites, downlink imagery and process image products on a user-friendly web platform.

Operations will begin following the launch of Skybox's first two microsatellites, SkySat-1 and SkySat-2, currently scheduled for late 2013.

By combining Skybox's product offerings with JSI's existing product offerings, JSI will be able to continue expanding the uses of satellite imagery in applications including land monitoring, environmental monitoring, and disaster response.

"JSI's partnership with Skybox is part of our strategic activity to contribute to the growth of the space industry in Japan. Skybox's high-frequency, high-resolution imagery and the world's first full motion commercial video from space will provide our customers the unique ability to have an on-demand view of their world," said Yoichi Kamiyama, JSI's CEO.

"At JSI, we pride ourselves in providing superior geospatial solutions, and are excited to partner with Skybox to be the first in our region to have access to the industry's leading-edge remote sensing technology to better serve our customers."

"Skybox's goal is to provide unprecedented insight into daily global activity and partnering with JSI is going to help us do just that," said Tom Ingersoll, Skybox's CEO.

"JSI is an iconic provider of remote sensing services in Japan and we look forward to working closely with our partner to develop imagery products for the Japanese market of today and geospatial-based information products for the market of tomorrow."