On: Stealth bomber in flight on Google Maps

[willis936]

Flying a plane around the planet sounds a lot more expensive financially and thermodynamically than just beaming down images from an object constantly falling into the views you want to see.

[dzhiurgis → willis936]

You are only interested in urban areas which is less than 1% of total earth surface

[omoikane → willis936]

It's also the case that often there are more legal regulations around aerial imagery compared to satellite imagery.

[fullstop → willis936]

I looked it up. There are some satellite images, but a lot of it is done by aircraft.

[op00to → willis936]

Or you could just strap a camera to a few commercial airliners and have full coverage.

[dylan604 → op00to]

You'd only have full coverage of the jet routes. They don't just fly willy nilly across the globe.