SPOT - Satellite-based remote sensing system
Abstract
Descriptions are given of the two parts of the SPOT satellite, the 'bus' (a standard multipurpose platform) and the payload. The latter consists of two identical high resolution visible (HRV) imaging instruments and a package comprising two magnetic-tape data recorders and a telemetry transmitter. The complete satellite will weigh approximately 1750 kg at the start of its life and will operate in a circular sunsynchronous near-polar orbit at an altitude of 832 km. The characteristics of the HRV instrument are given, showing a ground sampling interval (nadir viewing) of 20 m x 20 m in the multispectral mode and 10 m x 10 m in the panchromatic mode. In describing nadir viewing, it is pointed out that complete earth coverage can be obtained with a fixed setting of instrument fields. The width of the swath that is actually observed varies between 60 km for nadir viewing and 80 km for extreme off-nadir viewing.
- Publication:
-
In: Space in the 1980's and beyond; Proceedings of the Seventeenth European Space Symposium
- Pub Date:
- 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981spbe.proc...53V
- Keywords:
-
- Remote Sensors;
- Satellite-Borne Photography;
- Spot (French Satellite);
- Data Acquisition;
- Data Processing;
- Stereophotography;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles