SPOT 5 (The Sattelite)

SPOT 5 color satellite images at a resolution of 2.5 meters. SPOT Maps is today available over more than 100 countries, representing a total of 78 millions square kilometers. This coverage is growing and updated every month.

SPOT 5 Features


  • Source data: SPOT 5 satellite imagery
  • Resolution: 2.5 m
  • Addition of HRG Imaging
  • Addition of HRS Instrument
  • Spectral mode Natural color (3 bands)
  • Location accuracy 10 to 15 m RMS
  • Projection: UTM WGS 84
  • Preprocessing level: Ortho
  • File format Geo Tiff 
  • Product framing : Per sq.km, to match your area of interest


SPOT 5 is a new satellite of the SPOT family of satellites. It is planned to be launched in the first quarter of 2002.


HRG Imaging


A new High Resolution Geometry or HRG imaging instrument is developed by CNES to be carried on-board SPOT 5. The HRG instrument promises a higher ground resolution than that of the HRV/HRVIR on SPOT 1 - 4 satellites: 5 m, and 2.5 m by interpolation in panchromatic mode, and 10 m in all 3 spectral bands in the visible to near infrared ranges.




The spectral band in the short wave infrared band is maintained at a resolution of 20 m due to limitations imposed by the geometry of the CCD sensors used in this band. The field width of HRG is 60 km, same as SPOT 1, 2, 3, & 4. With two HRG instruments, a maximum swath of 120 km at 5 m resolution can be achieved. The oblique viewing capacity is maintained providing rapid access to a given area. A dedicated instrument, High Resolution Stereo (HRS), for along track stereo acquisition will also be carried on board SPOT 5. A VEGETATION large coverage instrument will also be available.



To ensure continuity with the SPOT 1 - 4 satellites, the SPOT 5 spectral bands will be the same as those for SPOT 4: B1 (0.50-0.59 �m); B2 (0.61-0.68 �m); B3 (0.79-0.89 �m); and SWIR (1.58-1.75 �m). The panchromatic band will, however, return to the values used for SPOT 1 through 3 (Pan: 0.51-0.73 �m).



SPOT 5 will have the same swath (60 km) as SPOT 1 - 4 satellites, but with higher resolution. In order to transmit the increase volume of data within a data rate limit of 100 Mbit/s, data compression techniques will be used while down linking the data to the ground station.
The specifications of SPOT 5 call for a plan metric accuracy of 10 m (rms) and an elevation accuracy of 5 m (rms). These figures are compatible with conventional mapping standards at 1:50 000 scale. The radiometric quality of SPOT 5 imagery will be equal to or better than that of SPOT 4.