Revelation Machines

  • Released Thursday, May 23, 2013
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Remote sensors aboard satellites keep us in virtual contact with every inch of our planet. The technology has made great strides over the last century, enabling humans to explore their environment in ways once unimaginable. Now, it’s used from space to monitor and record global events in real time. The data and images collected by Earth observation satellites, including those that are part of NASA’s Earth-observing fleet, provide scientists with a deeper understanding of the world and are essential for studying the impact of natural and human-induced changes to Earth’s climate. Watch the animation for a basic look at how satellites collect and transmit data from Earth orbit.

How satellite observations are changing the world.

How satellite observations are changing the world.

NASA currently has more than 20 Earth observation satellites in orbit.

Earth observation satellites monitor our planet’s lands, oceans and atmosphere.

Earth observation satellites monitor our planet’s lands, oceans and atmosphere.

Earth observation satellites are placed in orbits that allow for either continuous or periodic monitoring of a region.

Earth observation satellites are placed in orbits that allow for either continuous or periodic monitoring of a region.

Data and images collected by satellites are transmitted to ground stations for analysis.

Data and images collected by satellites are transmitted to ground stations for analysis.

Credits

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

This page was originally published on Thursday, May 23, 2013.
This page was last updated on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 1:52 PM EDT.