The Earth Observation division of the South African National Space Agency (Sansa) launched their 2011 edition of its mosaic of satellite imagery of the whole of South Africa. The data consisting of more than 1000 images was collected from 24 January 24 to 20 December 2011 with the Spot 5 earth observation satellite. The imagery can be used for various purposes ranging from housing and urban planning to agricultural observation to environmental monitoring. The disks with the images are being sent to each Southafrican province; others go to the Presidency, government departments and government agencies such as South African National Parks. Spot 5 was launched in 2002 and is operated by European space company Astrium.
