NASA’s Earth Observing Satellites
The Applied Remote Sensing Training (ARSET) Program, falling under the Capacity Building Program, is tasked with creating training materials to help users of all levels of expertise learn how to use NASA satellite data. In regards to the Earth observing fleet, ARSET has created a unique, interactive training that teaches users about the different satellites it is comprised of and their unique capabilities. This training was designed for anyone with an interest in learning about the different ways we are observing Earth and what kinds of data are available. This course falls under ARSET’s “Fundamentals of Remote Sensing” lesson plan, which serves as a prerequisite for most other ARSET trainings and is a great primer for those that are new to remote sensing.
The ability to study our own planet is one of the most important and most frequently overlooked reasons for going into space. Part of NASA’s job is to enable the study and monitoring of our planetary system by identifying what variables need to be measured and creating instruments and spacecraft that can collect the data we need to make informed and responsible decisions. This aim is achieved by NASA’s Earth observing fleet. Today NASA has 19 satellites in low Earth orbit and 6 instruments on the International Space Station, with many more in the formulation and implementation stages. This coordinated series of satellites is constantly taking our planet’s pulse by collecting long-term global observations of the land surface, biosphere, solid Earth, atmosphere and oceans. The instruments on board are capable of picking up everything from land surface temperature to gravitational anomalies. Some are in polar orbit scanning every square inch of the Earth once every couple of weeks, and some are in geostationary orbit taking a snapshot of the same area every few minutes. All of the data collected is publicly available for download and analysis.
As with all ARSET trainings, NASA’s Earth Observing Fleet is free of cost and open to anyone. If you are interested in learning more, click the link below that will take you to the registration page and grant you access to the course.
