Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our services and policies. For the complete settlement timeline, see the billing and payment guide.
Introduction
How do I access cloud-free Sentinel-2 images?
Use our ordering and delivery tools in the ClearSKY Dashboard. Create an account and place an order for your area and date range. If you want sample data or help choosing a setup, contact support@clearsky.vision.
What does “cloud-free” mean in ClearSKY?
It means reconstruction, not a cloud mosaic. We remove clouds, cloud shadows, haze and other atmospheric artifacts, clean the optical pixels that are usable, harmonize inputs across time and sensors, and reconstruct the missing areas. We also extract information from SAR to keep continuity when clouds persist.
What satellites are used in the ClearSKY fusion pipeline?
Core inputs include Sentinel-2 optical and Sentinel-1 SAR. Today we use Sentinel-1A and Sentinel-1C, and three Sentinel-2 spacecraft. Satellite availability changes over time as missions evolve, and we continuously adapt the pipeline. Depending on product and configuration, additional sources can be used to improve timeliness or robustness.
What is the resolution of the cloud-free Sentinel-2 product?
The cloud-free Sentinel-2 service is delivered at 10 m resolution (10 m per pixel).
Data Product
What file format do you deliver?
Default delivery is Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF (COG). If you need another format or packaging, contact support and we will propose an option.
Do you deliver TOA or BOA data?
We can deliver both TOA (Top of Atmosphere) and BOA (Bottom of Atmosphere) products, depending on the model and configuration. If you are unsure which you need, tell us your use case and we will recommend a default.
Do you deliver harmonized data?
Yes. You can request harmonized outputs to improve consistency across time and across mixed input sources. If you need non-harmonized output for a specific workflow, we can deliver that too.
Is the Usability Score included with ClearSKY imagery?
For supported products, each Monitoring or Single Image order includes the Usability Score for its delivered ClearSKY imagery: a per-pixel usability probability, recommended threshold mask, and usable-pixel summary. Included Usability Score outputs are part of the imagery price and do not create a separate charge or invoice line. Access to included Usability Score outputs follows the imagery order and is not restricted by service plan. Learn about the Usability Score.
What Usability Score work is priced separately?
Summary score metadata for eligible underlying source observations is included when available. Full source-level score rasters for every acquisition, historical archive backfills, customer-owned sensors, and custom calibration or delivery formats are separately quoted.
Is this the same as a mosaic or a monthly composite?
No. Mosaics and composites typically select or stitch clear pixels across a window and often leave gaps when clouds persist. ClearSKY reconstructs cloud-covered areas and cleans usable optical pixels to produce consistent images on an operational cadence.
Ordering
What AOI formats do you accept (GeoJSON, WKT, tiles)?
We accept GeoJSON and WKT for defining areas. You can also order using tiles if that fits your workflow. If you are integrating via API, we recommend GeoJSON or WKT for repeatable automation.
What is Polygon ordering (formerly “composite ordering”)?
Do you accept any polygon, or only bounding boxes?
We accept both bounding boxes (bboxes) and arbitrary polygons in Polygon ordering. Prior account acceptance is not required for standard valid geometries. If you need help validating complex shapes, contact support@clearsky.vision.
How is area calculated for Polygon ordering?
For Polygon ordering we calculate billable area from the submitted geometry (bbox or polygon), with a minimum billable area of 0.5 km². If needed, contact support for help validating complex geometries before ordering.
Is there a minimum order value or coverage area?
There is no minimum order value, minimum monthly spend, or minimum invoice value. Product-specific minimum coverage and whole-grid-block rules still apply. For Exact AOI ordering, the minimum billable area is 0.5 km². Grid coverage uses whole 10.24 km² mini-tile blocks or 2,621 km² full-tile blocks.
How are required and optional input satellites priced?
Required inputs are included in the selected model configuration. Optional-input uplifts are shown for every supported model, while the final Cumulus configuration and price are confirmed in a quote.
- Stratus-3: Included: Sentinel-1 C-SAR, Sentinel-2 MSI, Landsat 9 OLI-2 & TIRS-2, Landsat 8 OLI & TIRS. No optional public input group is listed.
- Nimbus: Included: Sentinel-1 C-SAR, Sentinel-2 MSI. Optional groups: Landsat 8/9 (+10%).
- Cumulus (available on request; quote only): Included: Sentinel-1 C-SAR, Sentinel-2 MSI. Optional groups: Landsat 8/9 (priced in quote), CBERS MUX (priced in quote), CBERS WFI (priced in quote), Amazonia-1 WFI (priced in quote).
- Commercial inputs: Supplier-priced imagery is quoted separately.
What is meant by “Image Frequency”?
Image Frequency is the number of days between delivered outputs. Published monitoring options are daily, every 2 days, every 4 days, and weekly. Daily input acquisition and processing remain active for every cadence. See Delivery options for the current price adjustments.
What is meant by “Reference Date”?
Reference Date anchors the cadence. For example, weekly delivery with a reference date yields a repeating weekly schedule relative to that anchor. This helps align new orders with existing schedules.
How long does order processing usually take?
Processing begins after acceptance. Completion time varies by area, model, and source-data availability. Progress is shown in the order status, and an estimated completion time may be shown when available. Processing often completes within hours, but that is a best-effort observation rather than a delivery commitment. Priority Delivery is a separate, capacity-limited Monitoring option. 90% of eligible Priority Delivery orders are delivered within 4 hours after placement. Priority Delivery applies to initial fulfillment of eligible orders. Ongoing Live Data follows the applicable SLA: delivery by 10:00 Europe/Copenhagen time on the scheduled delivery day, unless otherwise agreed. See Delivery options for details.
Can I cancel or modify after placing an order?
You can cancel or modify an order while it remains in Review. Orders in Review are not charged. For monthly invoice billing, when ClearSKY accepts a new Monitoring or Single Image order, its accepted total is recorded as an unbilled charge for that calendar month. Once accepted, the order generally cannot be cancelled or changed, except where the accepted terms or mandatory law provide otherwise.
Can I order partial tiles or partial minitiles?
No. Tile and minitile footprints are fixed. If a fixed footprint is not a good fit, use Polygon ordering or choose a different footprint type.
Delivery and SLA
When will I receive my ordered images?
Timing depends on your plan and order type. For plans with an SLA, default delivery is before 10:00 Europe/Copenhagen time. Other plans are delivered on a best-effort basis with typical next-day availability for live data when upstream inputs are available. 90% of eligible Priority Delivery orders are delivered within 4 hours after placement. Priority Delivery applies to initial fulfillment of eligible orders.
What is the timezone used for delivery times and schedules?
All stated delivery times, support hours, and SLA targets follow Europe/Copenhagen time, including daylight-saving changes.
What is the difference between historical and live or recurring data?
They use the same production pipeline for consistency. Historical is strictly backward-looking. We do not use future observations to fill past dates. Live and recurring follow your chosen cadence going forward.
Why ClearSKY
How is ClearSKY different from cloud masking or mosaics?
Short answer: masking hides cloudy pixels. ClearSKY reconstructs them.
- Reconstruction, not omission: We fill cloud-covered areas instead of dropping them.
- Clean optical pixels: We remove haze and other artifacts, not just clouds.
- SAR-informed continuity: We extract information from SAR to reduce gaps under persistent cloud cover.
- Harmonized outputs: Consistency across time and mixed inputs, designed for operational monitoring.
- Operational cadence: Daily, every 2 days, every 4 days, or weekly delivery rather than waiting for a mosaic window.
How is ClearSKY different from other “cloud-free” offerings?
- Multi-sensor by design: Sentinel-2 plus SAR, with configurable extra inputs when needed.
- Temporal integrity: Historical production is backward-looking. No future leak into past dates.
- Product options: COG GeoTIFF delivery, plus TOA or BOA and harmonized or non-harmonized outputs.
- Ordering flexibility: Tiles and polygon AOIs (including bboxes) for operational workflows.
Billing and invoicing
How does monthly invoice billing work?
Verified B2B customers receive one EUR invoice after every calendar month with nonzero charges. Invoices are due 14 days after issue unless a contract states otherwise.
What makes a business verified?
ClearSKY verifies the business and its billing details through a light manual review before enabling monthly invoice billing.
How are Monitoring periods calculated?
Monitoring is purchased in complete calendar months. The selected From month and To month are inclusive, and every selected month is charged at the full monthly price without proration. You can select any supported historical From month through the current calendar month. Future months cannot be selected; use recurring Monitoring for continuing coverage. Service-plan activation and billing are separate from Monitoring periods.
What is an account billing limit?
Each monthly invoice account has an account-specific billing limit. It is a payment facility, not customer-owned funds, and is not a minimum spend.
When might payment before acceptance be required?
ClearSKY may require payment of an identified order before acceptance, for example where invoice billing is unavailable or the order cannot be accommodated within the account's billing limit. Where required, the full order total is paid before acceptance rather than split between prepayment and monthly invoicing.
What happens when an invoice is overdue?
If an invoice is overdue, later orders require full payment before acceptance until the overdue invoices are cleared.
What billing documents do customers receive?
The consolidated monthly invoice is the payment request and identifies the applicable service periods. If order prepayment is required, the amount and applicable taxes appear on the relevant invoice or payment document.
Are plan fees and imagery combined on one invoice?
Yes. For verified B2B customers, plan fees and imagery appear on the same consolidated monthly invoice as separate lines. Published plan fees cover account features, throughput, support, delivery features, and any stated SLA; imagery remains separately priced.
When does a paid service plan start?
A new paid service plan starts immediately when accepted. Its first fee is prorated by calendar day from and including the activation date through the end of that month; later months are charged in full. Downgrades and cancellation take effect at month-end.
How are invoice amounts rounded?
Calculations retain exact decimal values. Each final Order × service-month invoice line is rounded to the nearest cent, with exact half-cent values rounded away from zero. The invoice total is the sum of those rounded lines.
Is there a minimum order value, monthly spend, or invoice value?
There is no minimum order value, minimum monthly spend, or minimum invoice value. Product-specific minimum coverage and whole-grid-block rules still apply. Exact AOI still has a 0.5 km² minimum billable area, and grid coverage uses whole 10.24 km² mini-tile or 2,621 km² full-tile blocks.
What billing information do you need?
We generally need a company email, contact name, legal entity name, billing address, and VAT or other tax registration details where applicable.
In what currency are we billed?
All published amounts and invoices are denominated in EUR unless expressly agreed otherwise.
Do displayed prices include VAT or other taxes?
Displayed prices exclude VAT and other applicable taxes unless expressly stated. Applicable taxes are shown before payment and on the relevant invoice or payment document.
What are SLA Service Credits?
Availability Service Credits are noncash contractual adjustments calculated only from the affected service-plan fee, not imagery charges. They remain valid for 12 months and may be applied to future eligible invoices or required order payments. ClearSKY decides complete claims within 30 days; customer logs are not required when ClearSKY’s own records confirm the incident.
Where can I read the complete billing guide?
See Billing and payment for monthly invoicing, charge timing, account billing limits, documents, and tax presentation.
Monitoring Pricing
How does monitoring pricing work?
Choose the Monitoring footprint and complete calendar months, then select the model, optional satellite inputs, and Priority Delivery when needed. Monitoring may be fixed-term or recurring. Exact AOI coverage uses the accepted polygon area; grid coverage uses whole ClearSKY mini-tile and full-tile blocks. Daily input acquisition and processing remain included, so lower-cadence delivery receives a discount of up to 20%.
Are service-plan fees included in imagery pricing?
No. Monitoring and Single Image pricing pay for imagery production. Service-plan fees separately cover throughput, users, support, delivery features, and SLA. Choose the imagery configuration first, then select the service level your team needs.
Why are Exact AOI and grid coverage priced differently?
Exact and scattered AOIs have different production economics than broad repeat monitoring on a standardized grid. Exact AOI coverage bills custom boundaries, while mini-tiles and full tiles bill whole standardized blocks at their own published rates.
What does active footprint mean?
Active footprint is the coverage included in a Monitoring order. Exact AOI uses the accepted polygon area; mini-tile and full-tile coverage use whole blocks at their own published model rates.
Do earlier orders change the rate of a later order?
No. Every Monitoring order uses the published rate for its coverage method and selected model. Earlier orders do not push later orders into a spending or usage-unit tier.
What are the current Monitoring rates?
ClearSKY Monitoring uses separate published rates for Exact AOI, mini-tile, and full-tile coverage. Required model inputs and continuous daily processing are included. Optional inputs, Priority Delivery, delivery cadence, and any agreed commitment terms are applied in that order.
How does cadence affect the price?
Choose any available output schedule:
- Daily / best available: Base price
- Every 2 days: Save 6%
- Every 4 days: Save 12%
- Weekly / every 7 days: Save 20%
The discount stays modest because ClearSKY continuously acquires and processes available inputs for the subscribed footprint, even when outputs are delivered less frequently.
What does Priority Delivery include?
Priority Delivery adds 25% after optional inputs. 90% of eligible Priority Delivery orders are delivered within 4 hours after placement. ClearSKY allocates additional resources to retrieve required source data and produce the ordered outputs as quickly as possible. Priority Delivery applies to initial fulfillment of eligible orders. Ongoing Live Data follows the applicable SLA: delivery by 10:00 Europe/Copenhagen time on the scheduled delivery day, unless otherwise agreed. Subject to processing capacity. The 4-hour Priority Delivery target is not an SLA unless expressly agreed. Priority Delivery cannot change satellite acquisition timing or cloud conditions. See Delivery options for the complete definition.
Can I combine Exact AOI and grid coverage?
Yes. Use Exact AOI coverage for custom geometry and mini-tiles or full tiles for standardized regional and country coverage. Each Monitoring order keeps its selected model, delivery cadence, and supported optional satellite inputs.
Model Pricing
Where can I see exact rates by model?
Open Monitoring rates for the complete Exact AOI, mini-tile, and full-tile price table. Required model inputs and continuous daily processing are included; optional inputs, Priority Delivery, and delivery cadence are documented separately.
How are mini-tiles and full tiles priced?
Mini-tiles are billed in whole 10.24 km² blocks and full tiles in whole 2,621 km² blocks. They can be combined in one Grid order, but each component keeps its own published rate for the selected model.
Can order timing change which Grid rates apply?
No. Order timing and sequence do not change the published model rate for a mini-tile or full tile. The dashboard still confirms source availability, taxes, and any account-specific commercial terms.
Why can the website and dashboard estimates differ?
The website uses the published Monitoring configuration. The dashboard is authoritative because it can also confirm model and satellite availability, taxes, account-specific terms, and the exact coverage submitted with the order.
Do you offer contracted pricing for large-area monitoring?
The public calculator shows published list pricing. For multi-tile, regional, or country-scale monitoring programs, contact us for contracted pricing. Any adjustment is agreed in advance based on coverage, model configuration, delivery options, and commitment rather than calculated through public spend tiers.
How are Single Image Orders priced?
Single Image Orders are a premium option for ad hoc analysis, validation, and demos. Each image costs 40% of the matching daily-delivery monthly monitoring rate before optional inputs. One image is 40%, two images are 80%, and three images are 120%.
Optional input uplifts apply to the image price. Grid coverage uses whole blocks; cadence, Priority Delivery, and commitment discounts do not apply.
Orders and Timing
When is a new Monitoring or Single Image order charged?
Orders in Review are not charged. For monthly invoice billing, when ClearSKY accepts a new Monitoring or Single Image order, its accepted total is recorded as an unbilled charge for that calendar month. For monthly invoice billing, fixed-term Monitoring orders are recorded at acceptance for every selected historical and current calendar month.
Which months can I include in a Monitoring order?
You can select any supported historical From month through the current calendar month. Future months cannot be selected; use recurring Monitoring for continuing coverage. When the current month is selected, Monitoring includes eligible scheduled dates from the beginning of that month, including dates before acceptance.
Will ClearSKY produce every scheduled Monitoring date?
ClearSKY aims to produce an output for every scheduled date through data fusion. Production remains subject to the availability and suitability of the required source data.
When are recurring Monitoring and plan fees charged?
For recurring Monitoring, the initial accepted charge follows the acceptance rule above. Fixed-term Monitoring ends after the selected To month. Recurring Monitoring adds one complete calendar month at the beginning of each new month until cancelled. Each recurring Monitoring month is recorded at 00:00 Europe/Copenhagen time on the first day of that calendar month. The accepted area, model, inputs, cadence, and delivery options set the monthly price; delivered image count does not change it.
When can I cancel recurring Monitoring?
Cancel recurring Monitoring before 00:00 Europe/Copenhagen time on the first day of the next calendar month to prevent that month from renewing. Cancellation does not reverse a month that has already begun.
Support and SLA (Plans)
What support do I get on each plan?
Free includes best-effort support. Professional includes email support with a 3-business-day response and one hour of guided onboarding. Business adds email and chat support with a 2-business-day response. Enterprise adds priority channels, a meaningful P1 response within 4 support hours, a 1-business-day response for other requests, and a dedicated customer success manager. Support hours are 09:00–17:00 Europe/Copenhagen time on Danish business days unless the Order Form says otherwise.
What are the SLA targets?
Free has no contractual SLA. Professional includes a 98% uptime target. Business includes 99% uptime, next-day delivery by 10:00 Europe/Copenhagen time, and reprocessing for qualifying artifacts. Enterprise includes 99.5% uptime with the same timeliness and quality commitments, unless its contract states otherwise.