Great Blue Hole, Belize by SPOT
40 years of expertise. 40 years of heritage.
For four decades, we have been observing the Earth with passion, rigor and precision. Mission after mission. Generation after generation. Building satellites, services and capabilities that have been reshaping Earth observation.
How it all started…
On February 22, 1986, SPOT 1 launched into a sun-synchronous orbit 822km above the Earth. At this moment, Earth Observation was no longer a vision for us, it had become reality. We didn't just launch a satellite; we launched a new way for humanity to understand its own home.
Within its first months, SPOT 1 proved its worth during one of the 20th century's most defining moments. When the world woke up to the shocking news of the Chernobyl disaster, our imagery provided the first independent, commercial satellite view of the site. It was a turning point —demonstrating that satellite data could provide clarity in times of uncertainty and help the world grasp the scale of challenges that transcend borders.
Back then, we viewed the world in shapes and silhouettes, fragments of an unfolding tragedy the world was still struggling to understand. Almost 40 years later, that same legacy of transparency has evolved into the 30cm precision of Pléiades Neo. What started as a quest to see the "where" has become an essential tool for understanding the "how" and "why," empowering industries to make decisions with absolute confidence.
The past 40 years at a glance
1986: the birth of commercial observation with SPOT
Long before we had digital maps in our pockets, SPOT 1 was pioneering the industry. Launched in 1986, it established the first commercial Earth Observation service. Today, this legacy lives on through SPOT 6 and 7, providing the wide-swath, high-resolution foundation for global monitoring projects that require total reliability.
2007 & 2011: seeing through the clouds with TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X
Innovation isn't just about resolution; it’s about visibility. In partnership with the DLR, we launched the two radar satellites. With their SAR technology, we gave our customers the power to see through darkness and weather, creating precise 3D elevation models with unrivalled geometric accuracy.
2011: setting the high-resolution standard with Pléiades
The arrival of the Pléiades satellites has brought 50 cm resolution to the forefront of decision-making. For over a decade, these satellites have been providing the perfect balance of agility and precision, allowing for daily revisit capabilities that changed how we respond to crises and manage urban growth.
2018 & 2021: the 30cm era and beyond with Pléiades Neo and PAZ
In 2018, the PAZ satellite, managed by Hisdesat, arrived to expand our radar constellation capabilities. Alongside this, the launch of the two innovative Pléiades Neo satellites, with their native 30 cm resolution, has unlocked a new era of precision and reliability for our optical constellation—ensuring we continue to set the standard for the next generation of geospatial solutions.
Airbus Pleiades Neo Next Video Teaser January 2026
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And what’s coming next?
Redefining excellence with Pléiades Neo Next
With Pléiades Neo Next, we are addressing evolving needs in a changing world by enhancing our optical constellation’s capacity and revisit, providing even sharper imagery with higher native resolution (20cm-class native resolution).
PAZ 2
In continued partnership with Hisdesat, PAZ 2 will secure the future of X-band SAR data continuity. By integrating PAZ 2 into our constellation, we guarantee that our radar constellation remains sharp for the decades to follow.
40 years of insights
On 22 February 1986, we launched our very first satellite into orbit, 822km above our heads. With SPOT 1, Earth Observation from space was no longer a vision for us, it had become reality.
As we celebrate our Constellation’s 40th anniversary, we reflect on four decades of witnessing the major moments in history. Today, let’s take the example of Berlin and the famous Berlin Wall as our starting point.
In the 1980s, when Etna erupted, we watched from afar. Limited resolution and revisit times. Days before data could be fully analysed. The volcano was active, but our eyes in space were still learning to see.
What if we could see the Amazon pulse… from space?
Forty years ago, when we launched our SPOT 1 satellite, the first high-resolution images gave us a global view of Brazil’s vast forest cover in this remote part of the world, often hidden beneath thick cloud cover.
Want to go further?
Speaking with the Airbus team is the best way to get started.