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.