SPOT 1, 2 and 3: the programme's beginnings
On February 22, 1986, Ariane placed the SPOT 1 satellite into orbit. Two days later, the instruments transmitted the first image, offering unparalleled performance, with a spatial resolution of 10 or 20 metres, and the capacity to map relief accurate to within ten metres. SPOT 2 joined SPOT 1 in orbit on January 22, 1990, followed by SPOT 3 on September 26, 1993.
SPOT 1’s orbit was lowered in 2003 so that it will gradually lose altitude and break up naturally in the atmosphere, without leaving a trail of debris in space. Likewise, SPOT 2 was moved to a reentry orbit on 29 July 2009 after 19 years in service. SPOT 3 became inoperable in 1996 due to a failure of its stabilization system.