Over the past three decades satellite-based remote sensing has developed from experimental programmes to a user-oriented commercial industry. The current success and future of the industry are dependent on both the commercial perspective and the advanced technical capabilities as exemplified in the SPOT system. As the U.S.A. has the largest and most advanced user community in the world, the SPOT programmes, commercial experience and resultant industry trends seen in that country are indicative of, and setting the standards for, industry development in the rest of the world.