OBITUARY NOTICE:
It is with great sadness that the VEGETATION crew learned that Gilbert Saint, one of the founders of the VEGETATION mission, passed away on 10 May 2012. We will fondly remember him for his valuable legacy, the conscientious way of working and we pass our condolences to his family.
10 years of VGT2
On May 9 2002 this First image was taken by the VEGETATION2 instrument onboard the SPOT5 satellite.
This satellite was launched exactly 10 years ago on May 4 2002. It is a follow-on to the first payload operating on
SPOT 4 since 1998 to ensure data continuity. Earlier this week, the VEGETATION1 instrument stopped recording images. Its last image dates from 29 April 2012.
Welcome to the SPOT-VEGETATION PROGRAMME
The VEGETATION programme is the fruit of a space collaboration between various European partners: Belgium, France, Italy, Sweden and the European Commission. In 1998, it was grafted onto the SPOT programme, founded by Belgium, France and Sweden in 1978.
It consists of two observation instruments in orbit, VEGETATION 1 and VEGETATION 2, as well as ground infrastructures.
The first of the two instruments in orbit is aboard the SPOT 4 satellite, launched on 24 March 1998. The second is aboard SPOT 5, which was placed into orbit on 4 May 2002.
The image processing archiving centre of the SPOT-VEGETATION Programme
The image processing and archiving centre, located in Mol, Belgium, processes all data received from the vegetation instrument on board the SPOT4 and SPOT5 satellite, archives the processed data, compiles the image catalogue, and forwards finished products to vegetation users.
Since 1998, data are archived and available to the vegetation users (see data policy)
This site gives you free access to the vegetation image catalogue and allows you to download sample images of the vegetation instrument. If you are a SPOT registered user, you are able to order online any of the standard vegetation products. You will find here answers to questions on the products and the operational aspects of the vegetation programme.
The site is served by VITO Belgium, with the assistance of the Belgian Science Policy Office.
Distribution
VITO, your SPOT-VEGETATION partner, is since 1st January 2007 the exclusive worldwide distributor of the SPOT-VEGETATION products.
Please, see the data policy item to know how you can get the SPOT-VEGETATION data.