The Earth Observation and Remote Sensing market is one of the most dynamic sectors of the commercial space industry. Once reserved for nation-state sponsored space programs, today scores of private companies are investing in commercial satellite constellations and changing the way Earth observation imagery and data are delivered. This short primer provides the reader with a comprehensive, yet readily digestible, overview of the space based geospatial intelligence industry. It includes a detailed look at the historical development, principle technologies, market forces and pioneering companies that are offering organizations without in orbit capabilities of their own, a private view from space.