List of Earth observation satellites


Partial list of Earth observation satellites by series/program.

Commercial

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.
NameStatusAgencyLaunchDescription
ACRIMSATContact lost in December 2013NASA1999studies sun's infrared to ultraviolet output.
AquaActiveNASA2002carries six instruments to observe interactions among the four sphere's for earth's systems: oceans, land, atmosphere, and biosphere.
AQUARIUSMission ended June 2015 due to satellite power supply failureNASA & CONAE2011instrument on board SAC-D spacecraft measured salt concentrations in ocean surface needed to understand heat transport and storage in the ocean.
AURAActiveNASA2004studies earth's ozone, air quality, and climate though observation of composition, chemistry, and dynamics of the atmosphere.
CALIPSOActiveNASA2006studies thickness of clouds and aerosols for understanding of how much air pollution is present and changes in compositions in the atmosphere.
CloudSatActiveNASA/Canada2006monitors the state of earth's atmosphere and weather through radar, which can be used to predict which clouds produce rain, observe snowfall, and monitor the moisture content of clouds.
Deep Space Climate ObservatoryActiveNASA2015To study the Sun-lit side of Earth from the L1 Lagrange point
EarthCAREPlannedESA/JAXA2022EarthCARE - Study of clouds and aerosols.
Earth Observing-1 RetiredNASA2001carrying land-imaging technology, used to demonstrate new instruments and spacecraft systems for future missions. Retired on 30 March 2017.
Global Precipitation MeasurementActiveNASA/JAXA2014studies global precipitation.
GLORYLaunch FailureNASA2011studies aerosols, including black carbon, in addition to solar irradiance for the long-term effects.
GOES-12, -13, -14, -15RetiredNASA2001monitors weather for NOAA.
GOES-16, -17ActiveNASA2016monitors weather for NOAA.
GRACERetiredNASA and German Space Agency2002observes and measures earth's gravitational field, which may help determining the shape and composition of the planet's distribution of water and ice.
GRACE-2RetiredNASA2002Measures Earth's gravity field in order to track large scale water movement.
GRACE-FOActiveNASA2018Gravity and climate. The mission will track changes in global sea levels, glaciers, and ice sheets, as well as large lake and river water levels, and soil moisture.
ICESatRetiredNASA2003keeps track of size and thickness of earth's ice sheets.
ICESat-2ActiveNASA2018Measure ice sheet height changes for climate change diagnoses.
Jason-1RetiredCNES/NASA2001uses a radar altimeter to monitor ocean surface height.
Jason-2RetiredCNES/NASA2008uses a radar altimeter to monitor ocean surface height.
Jason-3ActiveCNES/NASA2016uses a radar altimeter to monitor ocean surface height.
LAGEOS 1&2ActiveNASA1976LAGEOS 1 launched in 1976, LAGEOS 2, launched in 1992 used for orbiting benchmark for geodynamical studies.
Landsat-7ActiveNASA1999takes digital images of earth's coastal areas with global coverage on a seasonal basis.
Landsat 8ActiveNASA2013takes digital images of earth's coastal areas with global coverage on a seasonal basis.
Proba-VActiveESA2013V stands for Vegetation: to continue the traditional Vegetation products started with SPOT
QuikSCATRetiredNASA1997monitors weather using bursts of microwaves which measure wind speeds.
SEASTAR RetiredNASA1997designed to monitor the color of earth's oceans.
SMAPActive with partial failureNASA2015Measures soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state, which enhance understanding of processes that link water, energy, and carbon cycles to extend the capabilities of weather and climate models. Radar payload failed in July 2015, leaving a radiometer as the primary instrument of the mission.
SORCEActiveNASA2003monitors total output from the sun for understanding of earth's absorption of radiation energy.
SWOTPlannedNASA2021Measures sea surface heights and terrestrial water heights.
TERRAActiveNASA/Canada/Japan1999carries five instruments to observe the state of the atmosphere, land, and oceans, as well as their interactions with solar radiation and with one another.
TRMMRetiredNASA/JAXA1997carries five instruments which uses radar and sensors of visible infrared light to closely monitor precipitation.
CLARREOProposedNASAMeasures spectrally resolved Earth's reflectance and emitted radiation, and radio occultation derived refractivity; establishes on-orbit calibration reference; benchmarks and attributes change of climate.
DESDynIProposedNASAMeasures surface and ice sheet deformation to determine natural hazards of climate.
HyspIRIProposedNASAMonitors land surface composition for agriculture and mineral characterization for ecosystem health.
ASCENDSProposedNASAMeasures the number density of CO2 in a column of beneath the craft in addition to ambient temperature and pressure.
GEO-CAPEProposedNASAMonitors atmospheric gas columns for air-quality forecasts.
ACEProposedNASAUsing lidar, creates aerosol and cloud profiles.
LISTProposedNASAMeasure surface topography to look for landslide hazard and water runoffs.
PATHProposedNASAPerforms high-frequency, all-weather and humidity soundings for weather forecastings.
SCLPProposedNASAMeasures snow accumulation for fresh water availability.
GACMProposedNASAMonitors ozone and related gases for intercontinental air quality and stratospheric ozone layer prediction.
3D-WindsProposedNASAMonitor tropospheric winds for weather forecasting and pollution transport.

Weather observation and forecasting

GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite)">Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite">GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite)

17 Satellites, 2 in operation
10 Satellites, 5 in operation.
successor to planned National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System program

[China National Space Administration] (CNSA)

11 Geostationary Weather Satellites, 5 in operation:
3 Polar Orbiting Weather Satellites, all in operation: