Placing a Tasking Request

The instructions on this page apply to orders placed through the MGP Pro user interface only. It does not apply to orders placed via the Ordering API.

You can request to task a new image, or a "collect," to meet mission requirements for recent or frequently viewed imagery over a small geographic area.

When placing a tasking request, you have access to all of Maxar's electro-optical (EO) satellites, including WorldView Legion. Your tasking order will be fulfilled at the earliest opportunity, using the satellite that best fits your selected tasking parameters.

  1. Do one of the following, depending on the part of the interface you are using:

    • Select Tasking. The Tasking panel opens.

    • Areas Panel Next to the area you want to task, select the menu menu, three vertical dots, then select Order New Collect (Single)order new collect, tasking.

    • Viewport Right-click in any existing area (e.g., polygon, rectangle), then select Order New Collect.

    When placing a tasking request for EO imagery, your area must be between 25 and 1000 sq km. If you select an area larger than 1000 sq km, you will receive an error.

    The Tasking wizard opens.

  2. Complete each page of the Tasking wizard to define the parameters in your tasking request.

    1. Make basic selections for your tasking request.

      The General step for tasking requests.

      • Tasking Priority Select your desired tasking priority.

        • Select Plus Offers a higher level of satellite tasking priority.

        • SelectMaxar's default satellite tasking priority.

      • Start Order From Saved Template (Optional) If you want to use a previously saved template for the order, select Start Order From Saved Template, then select a template from the from the Select Template drop-down.

        When using a template, be sure to verify all fields as you progress through the wizard, as some selections may not be included in the template. For example, you are still required to select an area and set the collection window, even when you are using a template. You can also edit the pre-populated selections in a template, so reviewing each field allows you to make one-off changes as needed.

        To clear a template selection and reset all fields, select X, close, cancel.

      • Order Name A name for the order.

      • Area Select the area you want to use for your tasking order.

        • Standard Sizes To use a square template for your tasking request, select 50 km, 100 km, or 144 km from the drop-down.

          A 50 sq km area is automatically selected. You can drag the area to reposition it, or select a different size area.

        • Your Saved Areas Select an existing area.

        AOI size requirements are as follows:

        • Maximum Area 1000 sq km

        • Minimum Area

          • High-Demand 50sq km;

          • Low-Demand 50 sq km;

        • Width must exceed 2 km

        • Cannot have more than 1000 vertices

      • Target Center The center point coordinates of the area. If you want to adjust the target's center point, enter coordinates in the field.

        Drag the crosshairs in the tasking viewport to automatically adjust the Target Center coordinates.

    2. Select Next: Collection.

    The Collection step for tasking requests.

    1. Expand each parameter drop-down to define your desired collection parameters.

      • Collection Window Use the calendar picker to select the collection window.

      • Resolution Select your preferred ground sample distance.

        • 50 cm (default) Satellite automatically selected from WorldView-1 (pansharpened imagery only), WorldView-2, WorldView-3, GeoEye-1, and WorldView Legion.

        • 30 cm Satellite automatically selected from WorldView-3, and Worldview Legion.

      • Cloud Cover (15% – 50%; default: 15%) Use the slider to set the maximum cloud cover percentage.

      • Off Nadir Angle (0° – 45°; default: 30°) Use the slider to set the maximum angle of the satellite in relation to its target.

      • Target Azimuth (0° – 360°) The allowable range of the azimuth of the target. Azimuth is measured from north in clockwise degrees.

        In the Start and End fields, enter your desired values, or drag the double-ended slider along the compass to set the values.

        To swap the Start and End values, select .

        To reset the Start and End values, select .

    2. Select Next: Production.

    The Production step for tasking requests.

    1. For each option, define your desired production parameters.

      • Production Level Applies default settings for the order production parameters, based on the image's sensor. Available production parameters differ based on your production level selection. See Available Parameters by Production Level.

      • Output Bands The output bands for the order. Default bands and available bands depend on your previous selections.

      • Kernel Resampling is necessary to align the pixels in an image to a coordinate grid. Resampling techniques alter the original pixel values.

      • Output File Format The output format for image delivery.

        Orders are delivered as a ZIP file regardless of the output format selected.

      • DRA Whether to use DRA on the order. Dynamic Range Adjustment (DRA) will automatically adjust the color and contrast of the output image to form a more aesthetically pleasing image.

      • Compression The compression option for packaging files.

      • ACOMP Maxar's Atmospheric Compensation (AComp) algorithm provides an estimate of the surface spectral reflectance as it would be measured at ground level in the absence of atmospheric scattering or absorption. By compensating for atmospheric conditions such as haze and water vapor, AComp allows for accurate imagery analysis and supports feature extraction applications.

      The following parameter options apply to tasked imagery in MGP Pro. Available production parameters differ based on your production level selection. Expand the drop-downs below to view your selected production level and the parameters that correspond to your selection.

      ParameterSettings
      Output Bands

      Pan

      4-Band Bundle (default)

      8-Band Bundle

      MS1

      MS1_MS2

      Kernel

      ENH

      MTF (default)

      CC

      NN

      Bilinear

      Output File Format

      GeoTIFF (default)

      GeoTIFF-32

      NITF 2.1

      NITF 2.1 NCDRD

      Dynamic Range Adjustment

      Off

      Compression

      Deflate (default)

      LZW

      NPJE

      None

      AComp

      Off

      ParameterSettings
      Output Bands

      Pan

      4-Band Bundle

      8-Band Bundle

      MS1

      MS1_MS2

      3-Band Pansharpen

      4-Band Pansharpen (default)

      8-Band Pansharpen

      Kernel

      ENH (default)

      MTF

      CC

      NN

      Bilinear

      Output File Format

      GeoTIFF (default)

      GeoTIFF-32

      NITF 2.1

      NITF 2.1 NCDRD

      Dynamic Range Adjustment

      Off (default)

      On

      Compression

      Deflate (default)

      LZW

      NPJE

      None

      AComp

      Off

      On (default)

      ParameterSettings
      Output Bands

      Pan

      4-Band Bundle

      8-Band Bundle

      MS1

      MS1_MS2

      3-Band Pansharpen

      4-Band Pansharpen (default)

      8-Band Pansharpen

      Kernel

      ENH (default)

      MTF

      CC

      NN

      Bilinear

      Output File Format

      GeoTIFF (default)

      GeoTIFF-32

      NITF 2.1

      NITF 2.1 NCDRD

      Dynamic Range Adjustment

      Off (default)

      On

      Compression

      Deflate (default)

      LZW

      NPJE

      None

      AComp

      Off

      On (default)

      ParameterSettings
      Output Bands

      Pan

      4-Band Bundle (default)

      8-Band Bundle

      MS1

      MS1_MS2

      3-Band Pansharpen

      4-Band Pansharpen

      8-Band Pansharpen

      Kernel

      ENH

      MTF (default)

      CC

      NN

      Bilinear

      Output File Format

      GeoTIFF (default)

      GeoTIFF-32

      NITF 2.1

      NITF 2.1 NCDRD

      Dynamic Range Adjustment

      Off (default)

      On

      Compression

      Deflate (default)

      LZW

      NPJE

      None

      AComp

      Off

      On (default)

    2. Select Next: Delivery.

      As you make and update selections in the Tasking panel, the Price section at the bottom of each page of the wizard displays a real-time quote.

    The Delivery step for tasking requests.

    1. For each option, select your desired delivery parameters.

      • Add an Additional Delivery Location (Optional) Select an additional file transfer location for delivery of the tasked imagery.

        Tasking requests are always delivered to the Orders Manager. Selecting an additional delivery location is optional.

        • Choose Delivery Location Select from saved locations.

        • No Additional Delivery (Default)

        • STFP/FTPS Location

          1. Select your protocol, then enter your credentials, host, port, and directory.

          2. To verify the connection, select Test Connection.

            A successful connection test is required to save the location and to order the image.

          3. (Optional) To save the location to use again later, select Save as Location. The location is added to the Choose Delivery Location drop-down.

        • S3 Bucket

          1. Enter your S3 bucket, folder, region, IAM access key, secret access key, and optional session token.

            • Use the Session Token field if you have a temporary STS token.

            • For regular access keys, leave the Session Token field blank.

            Your S3 bucket must be in the AWS commercial cloud.

          2. To verify the connection, select Test Connection.

            A successful connection test is required to save the location and to order the image.

          3. (Optional) To save the location to use again later, select Save as Location. The location is added to the Choose Delivery Location drop-down.

        • Google Cloud

          1. Enter your service key, bucket, and folder.

            To select a service key from a location on your computer, select the paperclip .

          2. To verify the connection, select Test Connection.

            A successful connection test is required to save the location and to order the image.

          3. (Optional) To save the location to use again later, select Save as Location. The location is added to the Choose Delivery Location drop-down.

        • Azure Cloud

          1. Enter your connection string, bucket, and folder.

          2. To verify the connection, select Test Connection.

            A successful connection test is required to save the location and to order the image.

          3. (Optional) To save the location to use again later, select Save as Location. The location is added to the Choose Delivery Location drop-down.

      • End Use From the drop-down, select the end use that is appropriate for your tasking order.

    2. Select Next: Summary.

      As you make and update selections in the Tasking panel, the Price section at the bottom of each page of the wizard displays a real-time quote.

    The Summary step for tasking requests.

    A summary of your order displays the parameters you selected for your tasking request.

    • Do one of the following:

      • Place the Request Select Submit. A confirmation appears.

      • Make Changes Next to any section, select Edit.That section of the wizard opens so you can make changes.

        Making changes may affect parameters on multiple pages of the tasking wizard. Be sure to check each page for any updates before you submit your request.

    As you make and update selections in the Tasking panel, the Price section at the bottom of each page of the wizard displays a real-time quote.

    If you want to save your tasking request as a template to use later, select Save As Template. See Using Tasking Templates.

  3. After placing the order, a final confirmation displays your order number and the total number of credits charged. Do one of the following:

    • Close the Wizard Select Close.

    • Open the Orders Panel Select View Order. See Orders.

    • Place a New Tasking Request Select New Tasking Order.

More About Tasking

  • Successful collects are available to all customers via the archive catalog. Collects are also available in the online catalog if daily take requirements are met.

  • Tasking requests are based on a number of factors, such as priority, demand, and other order parameters. Additionally, your tasking order may result in the collection of multiple images. Tasking requests use an escrow system rather than metering the quoted number of credits against your credit plan limit upon placing the order.

    Upon acceptance of your tasking quote, the quoted number of credits are placed in escrow. The credits in escrow are metered against the credit plan limit after each successful collect (or partial collect). If your tasking time window expires and you have credits remaining in escrow, these credits are released.

    To see how many credits you have in escrow, open the Orders panel. From the Order Type drop-down, select Tasking. The Total Pending Charges (displayed at the bottom of the page) show your current credits in escrow.

    Your Total Pending Charges show how many credits are currently in escrow.

  • If your tasking request is denied, contact support@maxar.com.