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List of Earth observation satellites

List of Earth observation satellites is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand List of Earth observation satellites rather than just read about it. In short: Earth observation satellites are Earth-orbiting spacecraft with sensors used to collect imagery and measurements of the surface of the earth. These satellites are used to monitor short-term weather, long-term climate change, natural disasters.

List of Earth observation satellites — main illustration
List of Earth observation satellites — illustration

Key takeaways

  • List of Earth observation satellites belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect List of Earth observation satellites to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of List of Earth observation satellites from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

Earth observation satellites are Earth-orbiting spacecraft with sensors used to collect imagery and measurements of the surface of the earth. These satellites are used to monitor short-term weather, long-term climate change, natural disasters. Earth observations satellites provide information for research subjects that benefit from looking at Earth’s surface from above (such as meteorology, oceanography, terrestrial ecology, glaciology, atmospheric science, hydrology, geology, and many more). Types of sensors on these satellites include passive and active remote sensors. Sensors on Earth observation satellites often take measurements of emitted energy over some portion of the electromagnetic spectrum (e.g., UV, visible, infrared, microwave, or radio). The invention of climate research through the use of satellite remote telemetry began in the 1960s through development of space probes to study other planets. During the U.S. economic decline in 1977, with much of NASA's money going toward the shuttle program, the Reagan Administration proposed to reduce spending on planetary exploration. During this time, new scientific evidence emerged from ice and sediment cores that Earth's climate had experienced rapid changes in temperature, running contrary to the previously held belief that the climate changed on a geological time scale. These changes increased political interest in gathering remote-sensing data on the Earth itself and stimulated the science of climatology.

Classification The lists below classify Earth observation satellites in two large groups: satellites operated by government agencies of one or more countries (public domain) versus commercial satellites built and maintained by companies (private domain). The satellite lifetime, between launch and reentry, is often called a satellite mission. These lists focus on currently active missions, rather than inactive retired missions or planned future missions. However, some examples of past and future satellites are included. Active, inactive, or planned classifications are relevant as of 2021.

Satellites launched by governmental agencies

Active government satellites

Inactive government satellites

Planned government satellites

Private or commercial satellites

Active commercial satellites

Inactive commercial satellites

Planned commercial satellites

See also

Committee on Earth Observation Satellites Earth observation satellite First images of Earth from space Orbital spaceflight Imaging satellites Satellite Satellite imagery Timeline of Earth science satellites Uncrewed space mission Related lists:

List of government space agencies List of orbits List of satellites in geosynchronous orbit List of uncrewed spacecraft by program

Notes

References

Further reading Kramer, Herbert J. (2002). Observation of the Earth and Its Environment. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-56294-5. ISBN 978-3-642-62688-3.

External links Committee on Earth Observation Satellites ESA Earth Observation Portal Satellite Missions Directory Archived 23 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine World Meteorological Organization's Observing Systems Capability Analysis and Review Tool: List of all satellites

Illustrations

List of Earth observation satellites: True color image of the Earth from space. This image is a composite image collected over 16 days by the MODIS sensor on NASA’s Terra satellite.
True color image of the Earth from space. This image is a composite image collected over 16 days by the MODIS sensor on NASA’s Terra satellite.
List of Earth observation satellites: NASA Earth science satellite fleet as of September 2020, planned through 2023.
NASA Earth science satellite fleet as of September 2020, planned through 2023.
List of Earth observation satellites: Earth observation satellite missions developed by the ESA as of 2019.
Earth observation satellite missions developed by the ESA as of 2019.
List of Earth observation satellites: NASA Water and Energy Cycle satellite missions as of 2006.
NASA Water and Energy Cycle satellite missions as of 2006.
List of Earth observation satellites: NASA Earth science satellites as of 2017.
NASA Earth science satellites as of 2017.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with List of Earth observation satellites

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what List of Earth observation satellites claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to List of Earth observation satellites before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about List of Earth observation satellites ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of List of Earth observation satellites

In research
List of Earth observation satellites appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses List of Earth observation satellites in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
List of Earth observation satellites is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Earth observation satellites, Earth sciences, Lists of artificial objects sent into space, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for List of Earth observation satellites outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.
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How to study List of Earth observation satellites in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what List of Earth observation satellites means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain List of Earth observation satellites out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is List of Earth observation satellites in simple terms?

Earth observation satellites are Earth-orbiting spacecraft with sensors used to collect imagery and measurements of the surface of the earth. These satellites are used to monitor short-term weather, long-term climate change, natural disasters.

Why does List of Earth observation satellites matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study List of Earth observation satellites?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on List of Earth observation satellites.

Tags

  • Earth observation satellites
  • Earth sciences
  • Lists of artificial objects sent into space
  • Lists of satellites
  • Lists of spacecraft

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