Basemaps, Elevation & Reference Layers

The foundation for accurate mapping, modelling and analysis

Basemaps, elevation models and reference layers provide the essential spatial context needed to understand terrain, visualise information and support geospatial analysis. These foundational datasets underpin planning, operations, simulation, and intelligence workflows across defence, government and commercial sectors.

Aerial view of a snow-covered forest with a dark, winding stream cutting through the white landscape and long tree shadows.

What these layers provide

Basemaps, elevation data and reference layers enable users to:

  • Consistent Spatial Context

    Visualise environments with consistent, high-quality spatial context

  • Terrain Understanding

    Understand terrain, slope, visibility and structural relationships

  • Operational Support

    Support mapping, planning, modelling and operational assessments

  • Data Integration

    Integrate imagery, AIS, OSINT and other geospatial data

  • Mission-Ready Environments

    Build reliable environments for dashboards, simulations and mission planning

Basemaps we provide

High-quality, seamless optical basemaps built from extensive satellite imagery archives

  • PlanetScope Constellation

    PlanetScope is a global Earth‑observation constellation of 430+ Dove and SuperDove CubeSats that capture daily, multispectral imagery of all landmasses at 3–4‑metre resolution, enabling consistent, high‑frequency monitoring at planetary scale.

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    Sentinel – 1A/1B/1C

    Sentinel‑1 is ESA’s all‑weather, day‑and‑night C‑band radar mission delivering frequent, reliable imagery for land, ocean, ice and emergency monitoring through a constellation of identical satellites.

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    Sentinel-2A/2B

    Sentinel‑2 is a ESA wide‑swath, high‑resolution multispectral mission using a constellation of identically configured satellites to capture the global landmass with  13‑band imagery at 10–60 m resolution every 5 days, supporting detailed monitoring of land, vegetation, waterways and coastal environments.

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    TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X (0.25m)

    TerraSAR‑X is a German X‑band SAR satellite delivering sub‑metre wide‑area, all‑weather InSAR compatible imagery with outstanding geometric accuracy as part of the Airbus radar constellation.

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    Landsat

    Landsat is NASA and the USGS’s long‑running Earth‑observation program, providing the world’s longest continuous land‑imaging record since 1972 to support global environmental monitoring, resource management and long‑term change analysis.

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    Wyvern Dragonette

    Wyvern’s Dragonette satellites deliver high‑resolution hyperspectral data with 23+ narrow VNIR bands and 5.3‑metre GSD, enabling detailed chemical and physical surface insights for agriculture, environmental monitoring, and resource management.

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    SPOT 6 and 7

    SPOT is Airbus’s broad‑coverage Earth‑observation constellation delivering 1.5‑metre panchromatic and 6‑metre multispectral imagery across 60‑kilometre swaths, enabling fast, reliable country‑scale mapping and monitoring with daily revisit capability.

Terrain & reference data

Essential elevation and spatial layers that provide context for analysis, modelling and decision-making

Elevation Products

Accurate 3D terrain information for modelling, analysis and engineering applications

Available datasets include:

  • Digital Elevation Models (DEM)
  • Digital Surface Models (DSM)
  • Digital Terrain Models (DTM)
  • Contours, point clouds and spot heights

Used for:

  • Terrain analysis
  • Flood modelling
  • Line-of-sight and viewshed studies
  • Infrastructure assessment
  • Environmental and engineering applications

Reference Layers

GIS-ready data layers to support analysis, mapping and operational workflows

Common products include:

  • Transport and road networks
  • Topographic and relief layers
  • Building footprints
  • Administrative boundaries
  • Thematic and demographic layers

All products are delivered in formats compatible with Esri and other GIS environments.

Case Studies

Aerial view of evenly spaced trees planted in diagonal rows across cultivated farmland.

Orchard Management Using Satellite-Based Tree Health Detection

Geospatial Intelligence conducted a remote sensing assessment for an Australian orchard to identify unhealthy or damaged trees at scale. Using satellite imagery and NDVI analysis, the project produced a detailed tree health classification map, accuracy report, and geospatial outputs for operational use. The insights allow the orchard to detect issues earlier, improve decision making, and support long term productivity and orchard health.Continue reading→

Modelling Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge Risk for Coastal Resilience

Geospatial Intelligence conducted a sea level rise and storm surge modelling assessment for a coastal region comprising multiple cities. Using Earth Observation data, the analysis identified high-risk coastal zones and evaluated the potential impact of extreme storm surge scenarios. The insights enable local governments to strengthen emergency planning, protect critical infrastructure, and guide long-term climate adaptation strategies.Continue reading→

Aerial view of evenly spaced trees planted in diagonal rows across cultivated farmland.

Custom solutions

Our team can develop bespoke basemaps, custom elevation products and specialised reference layers designed for your:

  • Operational environment
  • Software ecosystem
  • Modelling or planning requirements
  • Security and hosting needs

We ensure all products integrate seamlessly into your geospatial systems and workflows.

Let us help you select the right foundational datasets for your workflows

Our specialists will guide you to the basemaps, elevation and reference layers that best support your mission

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