SPOT


Stereoscopic sensing by SPOT is used in elevation calculations
 
Stereoscopic sensing by SPOT is used in elevation calculations
 
 
The French 'Système Probatoire d'Observation de la Terre' includes the so-called SPOT satellite, which was launched on 21 February 1986. This satellite can sense in three spectral bands, green, red and the near infrared, with a resolution of 20 metres. Furthermore, it is equipped with a panchromatic scanner, which means that it scans within a band which includes the green and red ranges of visible light. The spatial resolution for this sensor is 10 metres, for many years the highest resolution for a non-military sensor.
 
 
SPOT satellite can sense in three spectral bands (green, red and
   
The SPOT satellite can sense in three spectral bands
 
SPOT has a special feature that allows it to be programmed to 'look sideways' and scan the same strip twice under two consecutive overpasses. The two different visual angles on the same area give a stereoscopic effect, which makes it possible to map elevation conditions.

As SPOT has two visual and one near infrared channel, it is ideally suited for vegetation mapping of small local areas.
 
 
  
Last update: 20 January 2011


Earth observation satellites

 •  Introduction (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_EN/SEM7YN6SXIG_0.html)
 •  Landsat (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_EN/SEMHB04Z2OF_0.html)
 •  ERS (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_EN/SEMFZ04Z2OF_0.html)
 •  RESURS (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_EN/SEMQ614Z2OF_0.html)
 •  Envisat (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_EN/SEMR314Z2OF_0.html)

Meteorological satellites

 •  Meteosat (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_EN/SEM6BY3Z2OF_0.html)
 •  Meteosat Second Generation (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_EN/SEMTNY3Z2OF_0.html)
 •  MetOp (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_EN/SEMS1O6SXIG_0.html)
 •  NOAA (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_EN/SEMDQY3Z2OF_0.html)

Earth Explorer satellites

 •  Introduction (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_EN/SEMUYN6SXIG_0.html)
 •  GOCE (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/LPgoce.html)
 •  SMOS (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/LPsmos.html)
 •  CryoSat-2 (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/LPcryosat.html)

Commercial high resolution optical satellites

 •  IKONOS (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_EN/SEMI714Z2OF_0.html)
 •  QuickBird (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_EN/SEMZ814Z2OF_0.html)
 •  WorldView (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_EN/SEM43O6SXIG_0.html)

Related links

 •  Spot Image (http://www.spot.com)
 •  Technical specifications - SPOT (http://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/eduspace/SPOT.pdf)