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Why can’t we get high res satellite views of places like Iraq and Afghanistan?

Mark Sterling
Mark Sterling
Research Editor · Jan 24, 2026 · Updated Apr 13, 2026

most of the stuff you see on google maps that's really up close isn't satellite images, it's actually low plane flyover images. For obvious reasons we can't take those images there. There are high res satellite images though, of those regions and elsewhere, but those aren't publicly available.

48
Words

1 min
Read Time

#303
of 500 in Space & Astronomy

-29%
vs Category Avg

The Short Answer

most of the stuff you see on google maps that's really up close isn't satellite images, it's actually low plane flyover images. For obvious reasons we can't take those images there. There are high res satellite images though, of those regions and elsewhere, but those aren't publicly available.

Analysis

Key Concepts: Images, satellite, stuff

This explanation focuses on images, satellite, stuff and spans 48 words across 3 sentences. At 29% below the average Space & Astronomy explanation (68 words), the answer takes a direct, no-frills approach — sometimes the simplest explanation is the most effective.

What This Answer Covers

The explanation opens with: “most of the stuff you see on google maps that's really up close isn't satellite images, it's actually low plane flyover “ It then elaborates by presenting a contrasting perspective, ultimately building toward a complete picture across 3 connected points.

How This Compares in Space & Astronomy

Ranked #303 of 500 Space & Astronomy questions by answer depth (top 61%). This is in the concise tier — a focused explanation that prioritizes clarity over exhaustiveness. Many readers prefer this level of directness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a simple explanation for why we get high res satellite views of places like iraq and afghanistan?

most of the stuff you see on google maps that's really up close isn't satellite images, it's actually low plane flyover images. For obvious reasons we can't take those images there. There are high res satellite images though, of those regions and…

How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Space & Astronomy questions?

This is a focused answer at 48 words, ranked #303 of 500 Space & Astronomy questions by depth. The key concepts covered are images, satellite, stuff.

What approach does this answer take to explain we get high res satellite views of places like iraq and afgh?

The explanation uses root cause analysis and contrasting perspectives across 48 words. It is categorized under Space & Astronomy and addresses the question through 2 analytical lenses.