diff --git a/sat.go b/sat.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9ce9689
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sat.go
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+package main
+
+
+import (
+	//"../common"
+	"github.com/mitroadmaps/gomapinfer/common"
+
+	"bytes"
+	"fmt"
+	"image"
+	"image/png"
+	"io/ioutil"
+	"net/http"
+	"time"
+)
+
+const URL = "https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/staticmap?center=%f,%f&zoom=%d&size=576x576&maptype=satellite&key=%s"
+
+/*
+	To use Bing Static Map Maker instead of Google services,
+
+	Comment off the above URL (line 17) and add the following line to the code.
+	
+	const URL = "https://dev.virtualearth.net/REST/V1/Imagery/Map/Aerial/%f,%f/%d?mapSize=576,576&format=png&key=%s"
+*/
+
+// Returns a 512x512 image centered at the point using the specified zoom level and API key
+func GetSatelliteImage(point common.Point, zoom int, key string) image.Image {
+	url := fmt.Sprintf(URL, point.Y, point.X, zoom, key)
+	//fmt.Println(url)
+	resp, err := http.Get(url)
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+	if resp.StatusCode != 200 || resp.Header.Get("Content-Type") != "image/png" {
+		var errdesc string
+		if resp.Header.Get("Content-Type") != "image/png" {
+			if bytes, err := ioutil.ReadAll(resp.Body); err == nil {
+				errdesc = string(bytes)
+			}
+		}
+		if resp.StatusCode == 500 {
+			fmt.Printf("warning: got 500 (errdesc=%s) on %s (retrying later)\n", errdesc, url)
+			time.Sleep(time.Minute)
+			return GetSatelliteImage(point, zoom, key)
+		} else {
+			panic(fmt.Errorf("got ssssssssstatus code %d (errdesc=%s)", resp.StatusCode, errdesc))
+		}
+	}
+	imBytes, err := ioutil.ReadAll(resp.Body)
+	resp.Body.Close()
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+	im, err := png.Decode(bytes.NewReader(imBytes))
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+
+	// crop out logo
+	cropped := image.NewRGBA(image.Rect(0, 0, 512, 512))
+	for i := 0; i < 512; i++ {
+		for j := 0; j < 512; j++ {
+			cropped.Set(i, j, im.At(i + 32, j + 32))
+		}
+	}
+
+	return cropped
+}