Spatial resolution

Learn about optical and DEM resolution classes.


Overview

The spatial resolution of an optical collection or a DEM is the smallest possible pixel size that can be obtained by its sensor. The higher the spatial resolution of a given collection is, the more pixels there are per unit area, and the more detailed ground objects are.

50 cm resolution

1.50 m resolution

10 m resolution

Spatial resolution classes

ClassRange of values
Very high resolution (VHR)≤ 50 cm
High resolution (HR)From > 50 cm to ≤ 2 m
Medium resolution (MR)From > 2 m to ≤ 20 m
Low resolution (LR)> 20 m

Availability

Tasking collections

CollectionVHRHRMR
AxelGlobeNot supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-largeSupported inline-icon-large
2.50 m, 5 m
Beijing-3ASupported inline-icon-large
50 cm
Supported inline-icon-large
2 m
Not supported inline-icon-large
Beijing-3NSupported inline-icon-large
30 cm
Supported inline-icon-large
1.20 m
Not supported inline-icon-large
BlackSkyNot supported inline-icon-largeSupported inline-icon-large
From 83 cm to 1.30 m
Not supported inline-icon-large
Dragonette‑1Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-largeSupported inline-icon-large
5.30 m
EROS-BSupported inline-icon-large
50 cm
Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-large
EROS-CSupported inline-icon-large
30 cm
Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-large
GEOSAT 1Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-largeSupported inline-icon-large
20 m
GEOSAT 2Supported inline-icon-large
40 cm, 75 cm
Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-large
KOMPSAT‑3Supported inline-icon-large
50 cm
Supported inline-icon-large
2 m
Not supported inline-icon-large
KOMPSAT‑3ASupported inline-icon-large
40 cm
Supported inline-icon-large
1.60 m
Not supported inline-icon-large
Near Space LabsSupported inline-icon-large
10 cm, 30 cm
Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-large
PléiadesSupported inline-icon-large
50 cm
Supported inline-icon-large
2 m
Not supported inline-icon-large
Pléiades NeoSupported inline-icon-large
30 cm
Supported inline-icon-large
1.20 m
Not supported inline-icon-large
SatellogicNot supported inline-icon-largeSupported inline-icon-large
70 cm, 1 m
Not supported inline-icon-large
SkySatSupported inline-icon-large
50 cm
Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-large
SPOTSupported inline-icon-large
1.50 m
Supported inline-icon-large
6 m
Not supported inline-icon-large
Vision-1Not supported inline-icon-largeSupported inline-icon-large
83 cm
Supported inline-icon-large
3.48 m

Catalog collections

CollectionVHRHRMRLR
Beijing-3ASupported inline-icon-large
50 cm
Supported inline-icon-large
2 m
Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-large
Beijing-3NSupported inline-icon-large
30 cm
Supported inline-icon-large
1.20 m
Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-large
BlackSkyNot supported inline-icon-largeSupported inline-icon-large
From 83 cm to 1.30 m
Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-large
EROS-BSupported inline-icon-large
50 cm
Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-large
EROS-CSupported inline-icon-large
30 cm
Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-large
Hexagon AerialSupported inline-icon-large
15 cm, 30 cm
Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-large
Hexagon Elevation DSMSupported inline-icon-large
30 cm
Supported inline-icon-large
60 cm
Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-large
Landsat 8Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-largeSupported inline-icon-large
30 m, 100 m
NEXTMapNot supported inline-icon-largeSupported inline-icon-large
1 m
Supported inline-icon-large
6 m, 10 m
Not supported inline-icon-large
PléiadesSupported inline-icon-large
50 cm
Supported inline-icon-large
2 m
Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-large
Pléiades NeoSupported inline-icon-large
15 cm, 30 cm
Supported inline-icon-large
60 cm, 1.20 m
Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-large
Sentinel-2Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-largeSupported inline-icon-large
10 m, 20 m
Supported inline-icon-large
60 m
SkySatSupported inline-icon-large
50 cm
Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-large
SPOTSupported inline-icon-large
1.50 m
Supported inline-icon-large
6 m
Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-large
TripleSatNot supported inline-icon-largeSupported inline-icon-large
80 cm
Supported inline-icon-large
3.20 m
Not supported inline-icon-large
Vexcel AerialSupported inline-icon-large
5.5–7.5 cm, 15–20 cm
Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-large
Vexcel ElevateSupported inline-icon-large
5.5–7.5 cm, 15–20 cm
Not supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-large
WorldDEM Neo DSMNot supported inline-icon-largeNot supported inline-icon-largeSupported inline-icon-large
5 m
Not supported inline-icon-large

Ground sampling distance vs. spatial resolution

The spatial resolution is defined by the sensor specifications without considering the location of the object being imaged. The ground sampling distance (GSD) is the effective resolution with different constraints taken into consideration:

  • Geometric constraints, that is, the geometry of the object being imaged.
  • Mechanical constraints of the vehicle carrying the sensor — for example, its speed and altitude.

For geospatial images, the most important factors are vehicle speed, the curvature of the Earth, and the viewing angle.

As a result, the GSD only matches the spatial resolution at latitudes around the equator and at a 0° off-nadir viewing angle. For any other latitudes and viewing angles, the GSD will be greater than the spatial resolution. For example, there might be a 2.60 m GSD for a collection with a 1.50 m spatial resolution.

You can check the GSD of your asset as follows:

  1. Open the console and go to Data management inline-icon Data management.
  2. To find assets ordered by other account users, click My account. Otherwise, stay in My workspace.
  3. Select an asset.
  4. Go to STAC item list and select a STAC item.
  5. On the asset specification, check the Ground sampling distance (GSD) field.