Token System

Understanding Token Usage

Tokens are how we measure satellite imagery usage. Learn how they work and how to get the most from your allocation.

TL;DR: 1 token = 1 satellite tile (256x256 px). Viewing a map area loads multiple tiles. Tokens reset monthly. Free tier available. Optimize by zooming directly to your area and using lower zoom levels first.

How Tokens Work

The Basics

1 token = 1 tile request (256×256 pixels)
Tiles are loaded as you pan and zoom the map
Cached tiles don't count again
Tokens reset monthly on your billing date

What Counts

Sentinel-1 SAR imagery viewing
Sentinel-2 optical imagery viewing
VIIRS nighttime lights viewing
Difference analysis processing

Typical Token Usage

Action	Tokens	Notes
View a city at zoom level 12	15-25	Loading satellite tiles for a metropolitan area overview
Pan across a region	10-30	Each new area loads additional tiles
Zoom in to street level (zoom 18)	30-50	Higher zoom requires more tiles for the same area
Compare two dates (time series)	40-80	Loading tiles for multiple timestamps
Difference analysis	50-100	Processing and rendering change detection tiles

* Actual usage varies based on viewport size, zoom level, and area coverage.

Tips to Optimize Usage

Focus on Your Area of Interest

Zoom directly to your target area instead of panning around. Each pan loads new tiles.

Use Lower Zoom Levels First

Get an overview at zoom 10-12 before zooming to detail. Higher zooms use more tokens per area.

Avoid Unnecessary Refreshes

Tiles are cached in your browser. Avoid clearing cache or force-refreshing unless needed.

Limit Date Range Searches

Narrow your date range when searching for imagery to reduce preview loading.

When You Hit Your Limit

When your monthly token allocation is exhausted:

• New satellite tile requests are paused
• Already-loaded tiles remain visible
• You can still use the interface and manage layers
• Tokens reset automatically at your next billing cycle

Need more tokens? Upgrade your plan for instant access to more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a token?▼

A token represents one satellite imagery tile request. Each tile is a 256×256 pixel image segment. When you view a map, multiple tiles are loaded to cover your viewport.

How many tokens does typical usage consume?▼

A typical 15-30 minute session exploring an area of interest uses 50-150 tokens. Power users analyzing multiple areas may use 200-500 tokens per session.

Do tokens roll over to the next month?▼

No, unused tokens reset at the beginning of each billing cycle. We recommend using your full allocation each month.

What happens when I run out of tokens?▼

Satellite tile loading pauses until your next monthly reset. You can still access saved layers and use the interface, but new tile requests are blocked.

Can I buy additional tokens mid-month?▼

Currently, you can upgrade to a higher plan to receive more tokens. One-time token purchases are planned for a future release.

Why do some operations use more tokens?▼

Higher zoom levels require more tiles to cover the same area. Time series and difference analysis load tiles for multiple dates, multiplying usage.

Are cached tiles counted?▼

No. Tiles cached in your browser from previous sessions don't consume tokens when re-displayed. Only new tile requests from our servers count.

How can I check my remaining tokens?▼

Your token balance is shown in the map interface header and on the Billing page. Usage updates in real-time as you view satellite imagery.

Ready to Start?

Start with free tokens every month. No credit card required.

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