The paper analyzes the development of the technical capabilities of civil optical satellite ERS with a spatial resolution higher than 10 m/pix. On the basis of the ratio between the mass of the spacecraft and the maximum resolution of target equipment is offered hyperbolic regression function that describes the average specification for remote sensing systems with varying degrees of detail. The statistical sampling includes all the civil remote sensing satellites with high and ultra-high resolution, functioning on the orbit at the beginning of May 2016. The analysis on the effectiveness of missions completed their existence, as well as progressive devices and constellations, is conducted by using the obtained function. The data of existing and planned national remote sensing satellites are compared. Author made brief conclusions about the main trends of development of the world›s optical segment of high resolution imagery, as well as about the matching of the Russian group ERS evolution plans to observed trends.