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International
Satellites
When the early Man-In-Space projects, Mercury and Gemini, first photographed the Earth from orbit, plans were made to observe, record and learn more about our own planet using long-term orbital satellites. Since then a wealth of Earth observatories have travelled into orbit, circling our planet, recording everything from atmospheric chemistry to oceanic topography.
NASA's first weather satellites
During the 1950s meteorologists speculated about using satellites to capture images of weather phenomena. In 1958, the TIROS (Television and Infra-Red Observation Satellite) Project was initiated, and in 1960 NASA launched the world's first meteorological satellite. The first image returned from TIROS 1 heralded an era of revolutionised weather forecasting and Earth observations. During its short 78-day lifespan, the TIROS 1 cameras photographed a tropical storm, the cloud system of a large extra-tropical cyclone in the Gulf of Alaska, and pack ice conditions in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Landsat - the remote sensing revolution
The Landsat program saw the launch of the first Earth orbiting remote sensing satellite, Landsat 1 in 1972. Over 36 years, five more satellites collected information about Earth, adding to the enormous catalogue of data. Images taken from a space-based vantage point enhance geology, hydrology, forestry, geography, cartography and agriculture. Spectral information from Earth's surface has create an historical archive of man's influence on Earth and the natural phenomena that in turn affect mankind.
Earth Science Enterprise and EOS
NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) aims to, “Observe, understand and model the Earth system to learn how it is changing, and the consequences for life on Earth.”
The Earth Observing System (EOS) is a major element of this enterprise. It is the umbrella program that includes numerous satellite missions, engaged in permanent Earth observations. The satellite arm of the program was launched in 1997 and currently coordinates 19 satellites currently observing Earth.
NASA's first weather satellites
During the 1950s meteorologists speculated about using satellites to capture images of weather phenomena. In 1958, the TIROS (Television and Infra-Red Observation Satellite) Project was initiated, and in 1960 NASA launched the world's first meteorological satellite. The first image returned from TIROS 1 heralded an era of revolutionised weather forecasting and Earth observations. During its short 78-day lifespan, the TIROS 1 cameras photographed a tropical storm, the cloud system of a large extra-tropical cyclone in the Gulf of Alaska, and pack ice conditions in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Landsat - the remote sensing revolution
The Landsat program saw the launch of the first Earth orbiting remote sensing satellite, Landsat 1 in 1972. Over 36 years, five more satellites collected information about Earth, adding to the enormous catalogue of data. Images taken from a space-based vantage point enhance geology, hydrology, forestry, geography, cartography and agriculture. Spectral information from Earth's surface has create an historical archive of man's influence on Earth and the natural phenomena that in turn affect mankind.
Earth Science Enterprise and EOS
NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) aims to, “Observe, understand and model the Earth system to learn how it is changing, and the consequences for life on Earth.”
The Earth Observing System (EOS) is a major element of this enterprise. It is the umbrella program that includes numerous satellite missions, engaged in permanent Earth observations. The satellite arm of the program was launched in 1997 and currently coordinates 19 satellites currently observing Earth.
