SPOT 5 was successfully launched on 3 May 2002!

SPOT 5 is a new satellite of the SPOT family of satellites. It is planned to be launched in the first quarter of 2002. 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 µm); B2 (0.61-0.68 µm); B3 (0.79-0.89 µm); and SWIR (1.58-1.75 µm). The panchromatic band will, however, return to the values used for SPOT 1 through 3 (Pan: 0.51-0.73 µm).
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 downlinking the data to the ground station.
The specifications of SPOT 5 call for a planimetric 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.

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