Satellite Image of Flag of Flowers Celebrates Independence Day

DENVER, July 2, 2002 - To commemorate the Fourth of July, Space Imaging is releasing this high-resolution IKONOS satellite image of an American flag made of flowers. The image was taken on June 30, 2002 and shows the floral flag located in Lompoc, California, midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The flag was planted by Bodger Seeds, Ltd, as a patriotic gesture in response to the attack on America. The 6.5-acre flag measures 740 by 390 feet.

More than 400,000 Larkspurs were planted in January which have now bloomed into more than two million red, white and blue flowers. According to Bodger Seeds, the last floral flag planted by them was 50 years ago. Since Bodger Seeds was founded more than 100 years ago, the company has planted five floral flags each to commemorate a major historical event.

The 1600-pound IKONOS satellite travels 423 miles above the Earth's surface at a speed of 17,500 miles per hour. It's the world's first commercial high-resolution remote sensing satellite and can see objects on the ground as small as one-meter square. As of this month Space Imaging has collected more than 800,000 images of the earth's landmass, representing imagery over every continent.

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Source: Material used in press releases is often supplied by external sources and used as is.