Satellite
Orbview 3
Quickbird
Ikonos
Spot

Resourcesat 1

Landsat
SAC-C
Sensor
multispectral
multispectral
multispectral
HRG
LISS & AWIFS
ETM
MMRS
Type
Com
Com
Com
Com
Com
Com
R&D

REA compatible

no
no
no
no
no
no
no
Revisit time (days)
~3
~3
~3
~1
~5
~8
16
Near-real time
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
Spatial resolution (m)
4
2
4
10-20
6-56
30 (60 thermal)
175
Swath Width (km)
8
16
14
117
24 to 740
185
360
Number of Bands
4
4
4
4
4
7
5
Country or Agency
USA
USA
USA
France
India
USA
Argentina
Coastal Flooding
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Limited
Coastal Mapping
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Limited
Fronts/Eddies (thermal)
Limited

Ice

Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Temperature (surface)
Limited
Turbidity
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited


1. The table includes polar-orbiting, multispectral sensors that are functional as of May 2006 and for which imagery is readily available. Listed sensors are designed primarily for terrestrial applications, but have coastal applications.
2. A "yes" in an applications row means the application is reasonably well founded. A "limited" means the sensor is not optimal for this application but merits consideration.
3. REA compatible sensors are considered by OEA Technologies to be useful for Rapid Environmental Assessment. They have an effective revisit time at mid-latitudes that is at least daily and deliver data in near-real time.
4. Revisit time refers to either the satellite's orbit recycle time or the sensor's effective revisit time (identified with a "~") at mid-latitudes. Revisit time varies with latitude and sensor configuration, and certain programs have a constellation of satellites.
5. Near-real time satellite programs deliver data to the user within two hours of satellite overpass.
6. Type: (Com)mercial, (Met)eorology, (Mil)itary, (R&D) research & development. Imagery produced from commercial satellite sensors must be purchased. R&D satellites are usually owned by space agencies and the imagery is available free-of-charge. Meteorology and Military satellites are owned by public agencies and meet prescribed operational requirements.
7. Errors: If you observe any errors or omissions in the table please Contact Us.