Denver-based Space Imaging sold more than $1.6 million worth of satellite imagery to the Alaska Department of Veterans and Military Affairs to support a new aviation- safety project in the state.

The imagery from the company’s IKONOS satellite would help the state to develop accurate, flight simulation training modules of 12 key mountain passes as part of a safety initiative aiming at saving lives. According to state officials, while Alaska operates 10 percent of the nation’s air carriers but they generate 35 percent of the accidents. A “disproportionate” number of these reportedly have occurred in any one of the 12 mountain passes that connect Anchorage with the Alaskan interior.