Earth Observation Satellites

An Earth observation satellite is a spacecraft placed in orbit specifically to gather information about the Earth's land surface, oceans, atmosphere or climate system, using cameras, radar or other remote sensing instruments rather than carrying out astronomy, communications or navigation as its primary purpose. Such satellites support applications including land cover and disaster mapping, agricultural monitoring, and atmospheric composition tracking, with weather satellites forming a widely recognized subtype devoted specifically to meteorological imaging and forecasting support. Many Earth observation satellites are developed and operated by national space agencies as part of long running series that add successor spacecraft with improved sensors once an earlier satellite reaches the end of its service life, extending a continuous observational record over years or decades.