Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI), the producer of commercial off-the-shelf software for space, defense and intelligence applications, has released STK version 9. Key enhancements include streaming access to Microsoft Virtual Earth imagery, high-resolution global terrain data down to 90-meter resolution, free access to the STK Engine development kit, new graphical user interfaces to common functions such as inserting and defining objects and reporting and plugins for creating customized workflows. First released in 1989, STK is currently in use in more than 40,000 global installations at organizations such as NASA, US Air Force, ESA and EADS.

"STK 9 is one of AGI's most significant releases ever," says Francesco Linsalata, AGI chief operating officer. "You no longer need to be an STK expert to deliver expert results, and if you are an expert, you can produce your answers faster and easier than ever before. We really believe our current and future users will be wowed by all of this product's capabilities."