Scenes from a satellite production facility

Our new story on archaeologist Dr. Sarah Parcak and her pioneering use of satellite remote imaging took us to Boulder, Colo., where we visited legendary spacecraft manufacturer Ball Aerospace.

It launched its first rocket in 1956 — two years before NASA was even founded. These are the guys who actually build and launch some of the satellites used by the government and private sector. Given the nature of their business, they work in an extremely secure environment.

We were given rare access to a satellite production floor where they are currently building the WorldView-3 for DigitalGlobe. That satellite will launch this summer, and its imaging capabilities and enhanced spectral range make it the most advanced commercial satellite yet.

A satellite production facility is not like any other manufacturing plant I had ever seen. Think gigantic operating room for satellites — a dust-free, supersecure environment for 6,000-pound, half-billion-dollar spacecraft. It even has its own control room where tests are conducted and secure conditions are ensured. Rarefied air, for certain. I couldn't help but think, Should even the slightest construction error go undetected here, the impact could have devastating consequences 400 miles up in space.

The people entrusted with satellite production and launches are big-brained engineering types who, for most of us, seem to speak their own language. Most of them had never heard of “TechKnow” before we showed up, yet they were curious as to what we were shooting and why. Once we had a chance to talk about the science and technology stories we produce, any language barrier that may have existed was all but bridged.

See more on innovative satellite technology on "TechKnow," Sunday 7:30ET/4:30PT, on Al Jazeera America.