Tasking Parameters

Tasking parameters tell the satellite when and where to collect imagery and what conditions must be met for a collection to take place. Any constraints placed on the tasking request can reduce the opportunities for a collection to occur.

Parameter	Type	Description	Allowed Values	Default Value	Example
start_datetime*	string	ISO-8601 formatted The date and time the requested imagery collection can start.	The start date and time must occur at least 5-minutes into the future	N/A	`"start_datetime": "2025-05-01 18:34:57Z"`
end_datetime*	string	ISO-8601 formatted The date and time the imagery collection request will expire.	The end date and time must occur at least ten minutes after start_datetime and within 365 days of start_datetime.	N/A	`"end_datetime": "2026-04-30 18:34:57Z"`
aoi_geojson*	object	The AOI for the tasking request must be a polygon in GeoJSON geometry format.	Maximum area: 1000 sq km; minimum area: high demand areas 64 sq km, low demand areas 50 sq km; width must exceed 2 km; maximum 1000 vertices, spaced at least 1 - 2 m apart.	N/A	See AOIs
end_use_code*	string	This is the intended use of the ordered imagery. If the code "OTH" is used, the end use desription field must also be included.	See End use codes	N/A	`"end_use_code": "AGR"`
end_use_description	string	Required if end_use_code = "OTH". Not allowed for any other end use code. Describe the intended use of the ordered imagery.	Between 1-50 characters.	N/A	`"end_use_description": "evaluation"`
max_cloud_cover	number	"Cloud cover" is the percentage of the image strip that is covered by clouds. Use this field to set to set the maximum percentage of cloud cover allowed for your collection.	15-50 (inclusive)	15	`"max_cloud_cover": 20`
max_off_nadir_angle	number	The off-nadir angle is how much the satellite’s camera is tilted when looking straight down. If the camera looks directly below the satellite, that’s called ‘nadir’ (0°). But if it’s angled to the side to capture an image farther away, that angle is the off-nadir angle. We recommend setting the maximum allowed off-nadir angle to 30 degrees or less in most cases.	5-45 (inclusive).	30	`"max_off_nadir_angle": 30`
min_sun_elevation_angle	number	The Sun elevation angle is how high the Sun is in the sky. If the Sun is directly overhead, the angle is 90°. If it's near the horizon, the angle is lower. A lower Sun angle creates longer shadows, while a higher Sun angle makes shadows shorter. The minimum sun elevation for a collection is 15 degrees. Use this field to set the minimum sun elevation allowed for your collection.	15-90 (inclusive)	15	`"min_sun_elevation_angle": 25`
min_target_azimuth_angle	number	Target azimuth is the direction the satellite is looking when it captures an image. It affects how the scene appears—things like the angle of buildings, the direction of shadows, and what features are more or less visible.. Use this field to set the minimum target azimuth angle for the collection.	0-360 (inclusive)	0	`"min_target_azimuth_angle": 90`
max_target_azimuth_angle	number	Target azimuth is the direction the satellite is looking when it captures an image. It affects how the scene appears—things like the angle of buildings, the direction of shadows, and what features are more or less visible. Use this field to set maximum target azimuth angle for the collection.	0-360 (inclusive)	360	`"max_target_azimuth_angle": 180`
collect_gsd	number	The size of a single pixel as measured on the ground. This is also referred to as “resolution”. State the requested ground sample distance for the collection (meters).	[0.3, 0.5]	0.5	`"collect_gsd": 0.3`
tasking_priority	string	See Priority in the Tasking Guide. Defaults to "Select" unless "SelectPlus" is specified.	Select, SelectPlus	Select	`"tasking_priority": "SelectPlus"`
tasking_notifications*	array	Set "tasking_notifications to be notified when the status of the request is updated.	N/A	N/A	See Tasking notifications
order_templates*	array	The "order templates" section specifies the content production parameters and delivery location for processing and delivering collected imagery.	This depends on the type of product being ordered.	N/A	See Order templates

Note: Required fields are denoted by an asterisk.

Date and time formats

The collection time frame is determined by the start date and the end date. Both are required.

start_datetime must be set at least 5 minutes in the future.
end_datetime must be set at least 10 minutes in the future.

    "start_datetime": "2025-01-01T00:00:00Z",
    "end_datetime": "2025-03-01T00:00:00Z",

Dates must use ISO 8601 standards and must specify a time zone designator of either UTC or an offset from UTC.

The following are all valid datetime formats.

"2024-04-02T00:00Z"
"2024-04-02T00:00:00Z"
"20240402T00:00+0000"
"2024-04-02T4:00+04:00"
"2024-04-02T04:00+04:00"
"2024-04-01T22:00-02"

AOIs

AOI format and rules

Your AOI is submitted in the aoi_geojson field. It must be a polygon in GeoJSON format.

"aoi_geojson": {
        "coordinates": [
            [
                [-105.024490, 39.675484],
                [-104.867935, 39.675484],
                [-104.867935, 39.784268],
                [-105.024490, 39.784268],
                [-105.024490, 39.675484]
            ]
        ],
        "type": "Polygon"

Geometry type: A GeoJSON geometry polygon.
Minimum AOI size: 50 sq kms.
Maximum AOI size:1000 sq kms.
Minimum width: The minimum polygon width is 2000 meters.
Vertices: The maximum number of vertices is 1000. Vertices should be spaced at a minimum of 1 - 2 meters apart.

Maximizing collection opportunities

The following recommendations will maximize the opportunity for a collection in your AOI within the requested date range:

Maximum cloud cover percentage: A low maximum cloud cover reduces the chances of an imagery collect, which means your request may take longer to fulfill. You can increase your collection opportunities by setting a higher cloud cover percentage. Imagery won't be collected when the cloud cover percentage is higher than 50%.

Maximum off-nadir angle (ONA) The off-nadir angle is how much the satellite’s camera is tilted when looking straight down. If the camera looks directly below the satellite, that’s called ‘nadir’ (0°). But if it’s angled to the side to capture an image farther away, that angle is the off-nadir angle.

An ONA of higher than 30 degrees will result in a higher than 30cm-class native GSD. As your ONA gets higher, your GSD will also get higher. For native 30cm-class imagery, your ONA must be equal to or less than 30 degrees for Worldview-3 and equal to or less than 24 degrees for Worldview Legion.

Target Azimuth Target azimuth is the direction the satellite is looking when it captures an image. It affects how the scene appears—things like the angle of buildings, the direction of shadows, and what features are more or less visible. Reducing your target azimuth will either reduce the number of access opportunities or shorten the length of the access window.

Sun Elevation Angle Sun Elevation Angle is the angle from the tangent of the scene center point to the sun. Measured from the horizon in degrees (15-90). Reducing the allowed sun elevation further may decrease your collection opportunities.

Date and time formats​

AOIs​

AOI format and rules​

Maximizing collection opportunities​

Date and time formats

AOIs

AOI format and rules

Maximizing collection opportunities