SPOT Satellite Bus

Data current as of 2026-07-20.

The SPOT bus accounts for 9 cataloged objects, of which 7 are in orbit and 0 are active. 2 have reentered. Most are built by MMST. The largest operator on this bus is CNES. The first launched in 1986, the most recent in 2009.

7
In orbit
0
Active
9
Total launched
2
Reentered

SPOT launched per year

1 2 1986: 1 object launched 1987: 0 objects launched 1988: 0 objects launched 1989: 0 objects launched 1990: 1 object launched 1991: 0 objects launched 1992: 0 objects launched 1993: 1 object launched 1994: 0 objects launched 1995: 2 launched, 1 since reentered 1996: 0 objects launched 1997: 0 objects launched 1998: 1 object launched 1999: 0 objects launched 2000: 0 objects launched 2001: 0 objects launched 2002: 1 object launched 2003: 0 objects launched 2004: 1 object launched 2005: 0 objects launched 2006: 0 objects launched 2007: 0 objects launched 2008: 0 objects launched 2009: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006
Still in orbit Since reentered Click a year to list its satellites.

Typical specifications

Most common values across cataloged SPOT satellites.

Manufacturer MMST
Purpose Earth observation
Launch mass 1900 kg
Dry mass 1750 kg
Length 4.5 m
Diameter 2 m
Span 10 m
Shape Box + Pan
Power Deployable solar array, batteries
Propulsion SPOT AOCS
Design life 3 years (design)
Equipment 2 HRV imager
Typical orbit 96 min period, 98° inclination

Top operators

Top countries

F 8 I-ESA 1

SPOT satellites

Track any of them live in KeepTrack.

Name NORAD COSPAR Owner Launched Orbit Status Track
HELIOS 2B Helios IIB 36124 2009-073A CNES/DGA Dec 17, 2009 87 min, 98.2° Reentered
HELIOS 2A Helios IIA 28492 2004-049A CNES/DGA Dec 18, 2004 96 min, 98.3° Inactive
SPOT 5 SPOT 5 27421 2002-021A CNES May 4, 2002 99 min, 98.0° Inactive
SPOT 4 SPOT-4 25260 1998-017A CNES Mar 24, 1998 99 min, 98.2° Inactive
HELIOS 1A Helios 1A 23605 1995-033A CNES/DGA Jul 7, 1995 96 min, 98.2° Inactive
ERS-2 ERS-2 23560 1995-021A ESA Apr 21, 1995 87 min, 98.5° Reentered
SPOT 3 SPOT 3 22823 1993-061A CNES Sep 26, 1993 101 min, 98.9° Inactive
SPOT 2 SPOT 2 20436 1990-005A CNES Jan 22, 1990 98 min, 98.7° Inactive
SPOT 1 SPOT 1 16613 1986-019A CNES Feb 22, 1986 98 min, 98.7° Inactive

Frequently asked questions

How many SPOT satellites are there?

The catalog lists 9 objects built on the SPOT bus. 7 are in orbit and 2 have reentered.

How many SPOT satellites are in orbit?

7 SPOT objects are currently in orbit, of which 0 carry an active status.

Who builds the SPOT bus?

The SPOT bus is most commonly built by MMST.

When did the first SPOT satellite launch?

The first cataloged SPOT satellite launched in 1986, and the most recent in 2009.

Satellite data compiled by KeepTrack from CelesTrak, Space-Track, and GCAT, provided under CC BY-NC 4.0.