The United Nations Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT) collects and analyzes images.

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The new Catapult centre in satellite applications is intended to provide businesses with "access to orbit test facilities, to develop and demonstrate new technologies".

BBC: Plan to 'Catapult' UK space tech

Upshot: Satellite photo applications that could revolutionize existing industries and create new ones never even reach the paper napkin stage.

FORBES: Satellite Photos Go Commercial: Skybox Delivers Orbital Imagery As A Service

But silicon-on-insulator, first used in costly satellite and military applications, is practical for only high-end chips.

FORBES: Chillin' Chips

These two groups are working towards military applications in which the key is exchanged from the ground to a satellite.

ECONOMIST: Optical communications

The fact is that HD via ATSC only works in applications where the antenna is stationary, which means that cable or satellite work just as well, but of course aren't free.

ENGADGET: Ask Engadget HD: Should the FCC kill DTV for better technology?