Knowra Earth observation satellite Earth observation satellite An artificial satellite that measures or images Earth's land, oceans, atmosphere, or living systems. Its observations support mapping, environmental monitoring, resource management, and disaster response.
Remote sensing : The acquisition of information about objects or areas from a distance, usually using reflected or emitted radiation. Earth observation satellites are a major platform for remote sensing.
Land cover : The physical material covering Earth's surface, including vegetation, water, bare ground, and built areas. Satellite imagery is widely used to map land-cover classes and their change.
Electromagnetic spectrum : The full range of electromagnetic radiation, arranged by frequency or wavelength. Satellite instruments select parts of this spectrum to measure Earth's properties.
TIROS-1 : The first successful weather satellite, launched by the United States in 1960. Its television images demonstrated that satellites could routinely observe Earth's clouds.
Geostationary orbit : A circular equatorial orbit in which a satellite remains fixed above one point on Earth's surface. It offers continuous regional viewing, unlike the global coverage typical of polar-orbiting missions.
Multispectral imaging : Imaging that records reflected or emitted energy in several distinct wavelength bands. Separate spectral bands help distinguish vegetation, water, soil, and built surfaces.
Sea surface temperature : The temperature of the ocean's uppermost layer, measured in situ or remotely. Satellite sensors track broad patterns in ocean temperature over time.
Passive sensor : A sensor that detects naturally available radiation rather than transmitting its own signal. Many Earth observation instruments measure sunlight reflected from surfaces or heat emitted by them.
Landsat program : A United States series of satellites that has recorded Earth's land surface since 1972. Landsat established a long-running record of global land imagery.
Sun-synchronous orbit : A near-polar orbit that crosses locations at roughly the same local solar time on each pass. Consistent illumination helps compare surface images collected on different dates.
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