ISIS stands for "Incentive for the Scientific use of Images from the Spot system". ISIS is a French programme aimed at optimising access to the Spot infrastucture so as to facilitate European space scientific research.

Who finances ISIS?

Preferential pricing was defined for Spot products acquired through the ISIS programme. These prices can only be offered to European researchers because the French space agency CNES provides financial compensation to the Spot Image Company, and because the Spot Image Company authorizes a commercial discount.

Who can beneficit from ISIS?

The applicant must be a researcher, a teacher or a student belonging to a European research laboratory, a European institution that carries out scientific activities or a European institute of higher education.

The cost of Spot data

Preferential pricing was defined for Spot products acquired through the ISIS programme. These prices are free of taxes and carriage costs. See the specific webpage.

Conditions of eligibility

The applicant must be a researcher, a teacher or a student belonging to a European research laboratory, a European institution that carries out scientific activities or a European institute of higher education. The applicant can be a student in higher educational training (master, bachelor’s degree, postgraduate diploma, postgraduate qualification, and thesis).
The project must be dedicated to research activities, teaching activities or to research and demonstrating activities within the framework of GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security). Commercially-oriented projects will be automatically rejected. Educational projects (graduate and post-graduate programmes, Masters and Doctorates) are eligible.
The cost of SPOT data in the ISIS project should not be already supported by another financing source; such as national programmes or EC-funded projects (Integrated Projects, Networks of Excellence, other EC instruments).

General principles to use Spot data

The applicant of the ISIS project recognises and accepts that all Spot products granted to him are reserved at the same time to an exclusive and internal use to the applicant laboratory or relative to research and demonstration activities within the framework of GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security). Spot products must not be transferred, shared, or lent to others laboratories or to third parties in any way.

Work performed must mention the origin of SPOT data: SPOT data/ISIS programme, Copyright CNES.

The scientific results obtained must be communicated to the Spot Image Company and the French space agency CNES who enjoy the right of use free of charge.

Work performed must be the subject of a report, publication or master thesis that must be sent to CNES within one year delay. These documents (word, pdf, ppt format) should be sent by electronic mail to the following address: .

Any use of an entire Spot product or extract for posting or printing must mention the following credit, clearly displayed: “includes material ©CNES (year of production), Distribution Spot Image S.A. France, all rights reserved”.

Licences to use Spot data

The ISIS project applicant must choose the type of licence to use the Spot data, according to its project equirements: the Standard Licence in case of the use of a Spot Image product for the internal needs of the end-user (the ISIS project team in the applicant laboratory), or the Multilicence in case of several users explicitly declared sharing a Spot Image product for a joint project (the ISIS project).

By providing its electronic signature, the applicant undertakes to respect all terms defined in the Licence to use the Spot data.

Procedures to request Spot data

First of all the applicant must register with the ISIS Programme in order to get a user name and a password. This login provides access to a request form used to order Spot data. The username is unique and cannot be changed; the password can be changed by the applicant.

Once all personal information is completed, the applicant should select the appropriate licence to use the Spot data, which corresponds to the type of product requested and use within the project.

The applicant should fill in all fields relative to the project (Title, Objectives, Methodology, Results…) and then select as relevant the Spot data in acordance with the licence to use the Spot product.

ISIS project

You must fill in the application form file to request the Spot data: one form dedicated to the applicant, one form for the project, several forms for Spot data.

What is the next step when my ISIS project is complete?

Once all forms in the application file are completed, you must submit your ISIS project.

How do I know if my project has been submitted?

The applicant receives an electronic mail with the references of his/her application file, which confirms that the project has been submitted to the ISIS Programme.

Timeframe to assess the ISIS project

Application files are assessed within 1 month. During this period, you may be contacted by the ISIS Management Team for further information.

Is it possible to monitor the status of my project?

Once your ISIS project is submitted, you can consult its processing status by date and task. Log onto the ISIS website with your login/password.

How do I know whether my request has been granted?

You will receive the CNES Agreement by email, after which you can place orders for data from the Spot Image Company.

How long before I receive my order?

Delivery turnaround for archive scenes or programming requests are set by the Spot Image Company. Each ISIS application file is treared as an individual case; please contact Customer Services: .

On what media does ISIS provide Spot data?

The Spot Image Company provides data on CD-ROM and offers you the possibility to obtain data by ftp (with secured access by both a login and user name that you will be given).

I have submitted my ISIS project but I would like to change some information in my request

When you submit your project you can consult it at any time but you cannot make any modification on it. Should you absolutely need to change it, please specify the modification precisely and justify it. Log onto the ISIS website with your login/password, click on the letter picture, select ‘Send a message’ and contact ‘Technical support for Application’.

Spot data available in ISIS programme and prices

The ISIS Programme gives you access to Spot data: 3D products, archive scenes (SPOT scenes as standard products intended for image processing specialists, SPOTView as digital satellite image maps offering highly accurate and up-to-date information), programming requests over specific areas of interest.

All prices are free of taxes and carriage costs.

You can find your archive Spot scenes by browsing through Sirius Online, the Spot Image online catalogue.

A feasibility study is completed by the Spot Image Company for each programming request, which take into account any technical system constraints and weather forecasts. If your ISIS project is accepted by CNES, Spot Image will send you a programming proposal that you will have to sign in order to start the satellite programming.

Satellite programming is completed as a standard service.

Download the SPOT product information (2.5 Mo)

Spot data characteristics

Product Satellite Spectral mode Spectral bands Ground pixel size

10m B&W 1, 2, 3 M M 10 metres
4 P P 10 metres

20m colour 1, 2, 3 XS B1, B2, B3 20 metres
4 XI B1, B2, B3, B4 20 metres

10m colour 5 HI B1, B2, B3, B4 10 metres
4 M+XI B1, B2, B3, B4 10 metres

5m B&W 5 HM p 5 metres

2.5m B&W 5 THR P 2.5 metres

5m colour 5 HM+HX B1, B2, B3 5 metres

2.5 m couleur 5 THR+HX B1, B2, B3 2.5 metres

Download the technical sheet (1.5 Mo)

Resolution and spectral mode

Spot satellite Spectral bands Spectral resolution Ground pixel size

Spot 5 P: panchromatic
B1: green
B2: red
B3: near infrared
B4: short-wave infrared (SWIR) 0.48 - 0.71 µm
0.50 - 0.59 µm
0.61 - 0.68 µm
0.78 - 0.89 µm
1.58 - 1.75 µm 2,5 m ou 5 metres
10 metres
10 metres
10 metres
20 metres

Spot 4 M: monospectral
B1: green
B2: red
B3: near infrared
B4: short-wave infrared (SWIR) 0.61 - 0.68 µm
0.50 - 0.59 µm
0.61 - 0.68 µm
0.78 - 0.89 µm
1.58 - 1.75 µm 10 metres
20 metres
20 metres
20 metres
20 metres

Spot 1
Spot 2
Spot 3 P: panchromatic
B1: green
B2: red
B3: near infrared 0.50 - 0.73 µm
0.50 - 0.59 µm
0.61 - 0.68 µm
0.78 - 0.89 µm 10 metres
20 metres
20 metres
20 metres

Download the technical sheet (806 Ko)

Preprocessing levels

Spot Scene

1A Radiometric correction of distortions due to sensitivity differences of elementary detectors on viewing instrument.
Intended for users who wish to do their own geometric image processing.

2A Radiometric correction identical to that of level 1A. Geometrical correction done in a standard cartographic projection (UTM WGS84 by default) not tied to ground control points.
Allowing for possible differences in location, this product is used to combine the image with geographical information of various types (vector, raster maps and other satellite images).

1B Radiometric correction identical to level 1A.
Geometric correction of systematic effects (panoramic effect, Earth curvature and rotation). Internal distortions of the image are corrected for measuring distances, angles and surface areas.
Specially designed product for photo-interpreting and thematic studies.

SpotView

2B This product comes in a map projection with ground control points taken on maps or from GPS type measurements taken in the field. The image is corrected for a mean elevation in a projection and a standard map frame.
This product is used when deformations due to relief are not that important (flat ground, etc.).

3 Map projection based on ground control points and a DEM based on Reference3D data to eliminate distortions due to relief.

5 m colour and 2.5 m colour are not available in 1B preprocessing level.

Download the technical sheet (1.1 Mo)

Spot Scene
1A	Radiometric correction of distortions due to sensitivity differences of elementary detectors on viewing instrument. Intended for users who wish to do their own geometric image processing.
2A	Radiometric correction identical to that of level 1A. Geometrical correction done in a standard cartographic projection (UTM WGS84 by default) not tied to ground control points. Allowing for possible differences in location, this product is used to combine the image with geographical information of various types (vector, raster maps and other satellite images).
1B	Radiometric correction identical to level 1A. Geometric correction of systematic effects (panoramic effect, Earth curvature and rotation). Internal distortions of the image are corrected for measuring distances, angles and surface areas. Specially designed product for photo-interpreting and thematic studies.
SpotView
2B	This product comes in a map projection with ground control points taken on maps or from GPS type measurements taken in the field. The image is corrected for a mean elevation in a projection and a standard map frame. This product is used when deformations due to relief are not that important (flat ground, etc.).
3	Map projection based on ground control points and a DEM based on Reference3D data to eliminate distortions due to relief.

I cannot find the data I am looking for in the Sirius Online Catalogue. What can I do?

Firstly you can contact Spot Image Customer Service at
If you still cannot get the required data you can place a programming request.

How can I order a programming request?

Select “Request SPOT programming” and fill in all necessary fields to define the programming request. When your ISIS application file form is validated by CNES, Spot Image will then send you a programming proposal that you will have to sign in order to start the satellite programming.

What is the A22 ID code?

It is the full Id number of the Spot scene given with the Quicklook of the satellite scene in the Sirius Online catalogue. Do not forget to specify the SAT (Shift Along Track) value after the A21 code.

Example: 50372790404131053351B0

5: satellite number (scene acquired by Spot 5)
037 279: are the coordinates of the scene on the KJ reference grid (linked to the satellite orbit)
040413: is the acquisition date in YYMMDD format (i.e. 13 April 2004)
105335: is the acquisition time in HHMMSS format (i.e. 10 hours, 53 minutes, 35 seconds UTC)
1: is the instrument number (here: HRV1)
B: is the spectral mode/type of product (here: B for 5m Black & White)
0: SAT (Shift Along Track)

What is SAT?

SAT means Shift Along Track and corresponds to a value from 0 (no SAT) to 9 (maximum value). When authorised, it can be used to shift the scene along the satellite acquisition track to improve correspondence/superimposition between your area of interest and the satellite scene.

What are the SPIRIT products?

SPIRITs products are images specialized for study of glacier. A detailled presentation is available.

What are the recommended browsers and platforms for ISIS website?

No specific browser or platform is necessary.
Java script must be enabled.
Cookies and pop-up must be allowed.

Technical problems using the Sirius Online Catalogue

Please contact the Spot Image Company at .

Technical problems using ISIS website

Please contact the ISIS Management Team at .

I have already created my ISIS project and I want to contact the ISIS Team

Log onto the ISIS Programme with your login/password, open your project, click on the letter picture, select ‘Send a mail’. If your question concerns your request form (including technical problems to fill it in) you should contact the ‘Technical support for Application’. If your question regards Spot data (product types, programming feasibility, data availability…) you should contact the ‘Technical support for Spot data’.

I have not yet created my ISIS project and I have some questions that are not listed in the FAQ

For any questions regarding access to the SPOT infrastructure (data and services), please contact the Spot Image company at .

For any questions regarding the ISIS Programme please contact .
Caution: please only use this email address if you have not already submitted your ISIS project. If you use this contact while you already submitted an ISIS project, no answer will be given to your questions. Please use the ISIS contact facility in your request form instead.

Product	Satellite	Spectral mode	Spectral bands	Ground pixel size
10m B&W	1, 2, 3	M	M	10 metres
10m B&W	4	P	P	10 metres
20m colour	1, 2, 3	XS	B1, B2, B3	20 metres
20m colour	4	XI	B1, B2, B3, B4	20 metres
10m colour	5	HI	B1, B2, B3, B4	10 metres
10m colour	4	M+XI	B1, B2, B3, B4	10 metres
5m B&W	5	HM	p	5 metres
2.5m B&W	5	THR	P	2.5 metres
5m colour	5	HM+HX	B1, B2, B3	5 metres
2.5 m couleur	5	THR+HX	B1, B2, B3	2.5 metres

Spot satellite	Spectral bands	Spectral resolution	Ground pixel size
Spot 5	P: panchromatic B1: green B2: red B3: near infrared B4: short-wave infrared (SWIR)	0.48 - 0.71 µm 0.50 - 0.59 µm 0.61 - 0.68 µm 0.78 - 0.89 µm 1.58 - 1.75 µm	2,5 m ou 5 metres 10 metres 10 metres 10 metres 20 metres
Spot 4	M: monospectral B1: green B2: red B3: near infrared B4: short-wave infrared (SWIR)	0.61 - 0.68 µm 0.50 - 0.59 µm 0.61 - 0.68 µm 0.78 - 0.89 µm 1.58 - 1.75 µm	10 metres 20 metres 20 metres 20 metres 20 metres
Spot 1 Spot 2 Spot 3	P: panchromatic B1: green B2: red B3: near infrared	0.50 - 0.73 µm 0.50 - 0.59 µm 0.61 - 0.68 µm 0.78 - 0.89 µm	10 metres 20 metres 20 metres 20 metres