Earth Observing Fleet (December 2021)
- Visualizations by:
- Greg Shirah
- View full credits
Changes to this version include: removal of Landsat-7 and addition of Landsat-9.
Spacecraft included:
• Aqua
• Aura
• CALIPSO: Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation
• CYGNSS-1: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 1
• CYGNSS-2: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 2
• CYGNSS-3: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 3
• CYGNSS-4: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 4
• CYNGSS-5: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 5
• CYGNSS-6: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 6
• CYGNSS-7: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 7
• CYGNSS-8: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 8
• Cloudsat
• GPM: Global Precipitation Measurement
• GRACE-FO-1: Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow On-1
• GRACE-FO-2: Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow On-2
• ICESat-2
• ISS: International Space Station
• Landsat 8
• Landsat 9
• OCO-2: Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2
• SMAP: Soil Moisture Passive Active
• Suomi NPP: Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership
• Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich
• Terra
Credits
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio
Visualizers
- Greg Shirah (NASA/GSFC) [Lead]
- Ernie Wright (USRA)
- Kel Elkins (USRA)
Datasets used in this visualization
Terra and Aqua BMNG (A.K.A. Blue Marble: Next Generation) (Collected with the MODIS sensor)
Credit: The Blue Marble data is courtesy of Reto Stockli (NASA/GSFC).
Dataset can be found at: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/BlueMarble/
See more visualizations using this data setCelesTrak Spacecraft Orbit Ephemeris
Dataset can be found at: http://celestrak.com
See more visualizations using this data setNote: While we identify the data sets used in these visualizations, we do not store any further details nor the data sets themselves on our site.
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Dec. 22nd, 2020
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Nov. 17th, 2020
Read moreClick here for: Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich Media Reel. Includes links to associated b-roll Click HERE for lightly edited b-roll showing the launch animation and the satellite in orbit.Click here for the PRESS KITClick here for social media video in SPANISH Includes lightly edited b-roll from the launch animation sequence and various animations of the satellite in orbit Social media video in Spanish about the Sentinel6 Michael Freilich satellite. Soundbites with Erika Podest / JPL, climate scientist. TRT 4:12 Earth’s climate is changing, and one of the clearest signs is rising sea levels in the world’s oceans. THIS Saturday, a U.S.- European collaboration will launch the first of two satellites that will track sea level height over the next decade. NASA and NOAA scientists are available virtually Friday, November 20 from 6:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EST and 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. EST - one day before launch - and again Saturday, November 21 from 7:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. EST - just hours before launch scheduled for 12:17 p.m. EST from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California - to tell your viewers when they can watch the launch, and why it is important to document changing sea level. The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite will add vital measurements to a nearly 30-year record of sea level observations, giving us valuable insight to how the oceans are responding to climate change. This newest satellite will continue the longest-running series of missions dedicated to answering this question: How fast are Earth’s oceans rising and how will that impact us? The mission consists of two identical satellites, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich and Sentinel-6B, that will launch five years apart. Along with observing sea levels, these satellites will also provide precise data of atmospheric temperature and humidity that will help improve weather forecasts and climate models.** To Schedule an interview:*** Please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/8hm3u5sG8mukMQLN7Interviews will be conducted using video chat programs including Skype in 15-minute slots. For example 600-615 ET, 615-630 ET, etc. Satellite interviews are not available. *** Spanish Interviews are available ***Participating Scientists: Thomas Zurbuchen / Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, NASA HeadquartersKaren St. Germain / Earth Science Division Director, NASA HeadquartersNadya Vinogradova Shiffer / Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich Program Scientist, NASA HeadquartersIvona Cetinic / NASA Oceanographer, USRAMichelle Easter / JPL, Mechatronics EngineerBen Hamlington / JPL, Research ScientistJosh Willis / JPL Project Scientist for Sentinel-6Shannon Statham / JPL, Sentinel-6 AMR-C Integration & Test LeadThomas Thammasuckdi / JPL, Ground Data Software Engineer LeadSteve Nerem / University of Colorado, Professor, Aerospace Engineering SciencesEric Leuliette / NOAA, Sentinel-6 Project ScientistCarlos Del Castillo / NASA Scientist [Interviews in Spanish]*Erika Podest / JPL, climate scientist [Interviews in Spanish]*Pedro E. Moreira / JPL, Payload Development / Mechanical Engineer [Interviews in Spanish]*Suggested Questions:Tell us about the new mission that is launching this weekend to better understand sea level rise? Why is measuring sea level important? What does it tell us about climate change?Why do we use satellites to observe the ocean? How do you do that from space?How will data from Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich ( Fry-lick) Satellite help to improve weather forecasts, such as the models that track the formation and evolution of hurricanes? How does sea level rise affect us here in XXXX?What is your role on the mission, and what excites you about it?Where can people learn more and stay up to date on this mission?Suggested Anchor Intro: GLOBAL SEA LEVEL RISE IS ONE OF THE MOST DISTINCTIVE INDICATORS OF CHANGES IN OUR CLIMATE. NOW, NASA, IN COLLABORATION WITH EUROPEAN PARTNERS AND NOAA, IS LAUNCHING THE FIRST OF TWO SATELLITES THAT WILL EXTEND THE RECORD OF SEA LEVEL MEASUREMENTS THROUGH 2030.THE SENTINEL-6 MICHAEL FREILICH SATELLITE WILL ADD TO NEARLY 30 YEARS OF SEA LEVEL RECORDS AND WILL HELP ANSWER VITAL CLIMATE QUESTIONS. TODAY WE HAVE A NASA/NOAA TEAM MEMBER … TO TALK ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT MISSION... For More InformationSee [5 Things to Know About Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich](https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/5-things-to-know-about-sentinel-6-michael-freilich) Related pages
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Jan. 12th, 2023
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Earth Observing Fleet (August 2021)
Aug. 25th, 2021
Read moreEarth observing fleet for August 2021 - this version labels the "Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich" spacecraft: Sentinel-6 Earth observing fleet from August 2021 - this version labels the "Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich" spacecraft: Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich Earth observing fleet without satellite labels This animation shows the orbits of NASA's fleet of Earth observing spacecraft that are considered operational as of August 2021. The clouds used in this version are from a high resolution GEOS model run at 10 minute time steps interpolated down to the per-frame level.Changes to this version include: removal of SORCE and the addition of Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich.Spacecraft included:AquaAuraCALIPSO: Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite ObservationCYGNSS-1: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 1CYGNSS-2: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 2CYGNSS-3: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 3CYGNSS-4: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 4CYNGSS-5: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 5CYGNSS-6: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 6CYGNSS-7: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 7CYGNSS-8: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 8CloudsatGPM: Global Precipitation MeasurementGRACE-FO-1: Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow On-1GRACE-FO-2: Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow On-2ICESat-2ISS: International Space StationLandsat 7Landsat 8OCO-2: Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2SMAP: Soil Moisture Passive ActiveSuomi NPP: Suomi National Polar-orbiting PartnershipSentinel-6 Micael FreilichTerra Related pages
Earth Observing Fleet (December 2019)
Dec. 6th, 2019
Read moreNASA's Earth Observing Fleet (December 2019) This animation shows the orbits of NASA's fleet of Earth observing spacecraft that are considered operational as of December 2019. The clouds used in this version are from a high resolution GEOS model run at 10 minute time steps interpolated down to the per-frame level.Changes to this version include: removal of Jason-2 and Jason-3 and the camera does not show DSCOVR within its view.Spacecraft included:AquaAuraCALIPSO: Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite ObservationCYGNSS-1: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 1CYGNSS-2: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 2CYGNSS-3: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 3CYGNSS-4: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 4CYNGSS-5: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 5CYGNSS-6: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 6CYGNSS-7: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 7CYGNSS-8: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 8CloudsatGPM: Global Precipitation MeasurementGRACE-FO-1: Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow On-1GRACE-FO-2: Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow On-2ICESat-2ISS: International Space StationLandsat 7Landsat 8OCO-2: Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2SMAP: Soil Moisture Passive ActiveSORCE: Solar Radiation and Climate ExperimentSuomi NPP: Suomi National Polar-orbiting PartnershipTerra Related pages
Earth Observing Fleet (October 2018)
Dec. 8th, 2018
Read moreNASA's Earth Science Fleet as of October 2018 This animation shows the orbits of NASA's fleet of Earth observing spacecraft that are considered operational as of October 2018. New elements in this version include the ICESat-2 and Cloudsat/CALIPSO in new orbits. The clouds used in this version are from a high resolution GEOS model run at 10 minute time steps interpolated down to the per-frame level.Spacecraft included:AquaAuraCALIPSO: Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite ObservationCYGNSS-1: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 1CYGNSS-2: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 2CYGNSS-3: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 3CYGNSS-4: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 4CYNGSS-5: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 5CYGNSS-6: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 6CYGNSS-7: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 7CYGNSS-8: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 8CloudsatDSCOVR: Deep Space Climate ObservatoryGPM: Global Precipitation MeasurementGRACE-FO-1: Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow On-1GRACE-FO-2: Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow On-2ICESat-2ISS: International Space StationJason 2Jason 3Landsat 7Landsat 8OCO-2: Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2SMAP: Soil Moisture Passive ActiveSORCE: Solar Radiation and Climate ExperimentSuomi NPP: Suomi National Polar-orbiting PartnershipTerra Related pages
Earth Observing Fleet (June 2018)
July 11th, 2018
Read moreNASA's Earth observing starting at L1 and moving in towards Earth This animation shows the orbits of NASA's fleet of Earth observing spacecraft that are considered operational as of June 2018. New elements in this version include the GRACE Follow-On 1 and 2. The clouds used in this version are from a high resolution GEOS model run at 10 minute time steps interpolated down to the per-frame level.Spacecraft included:AquaAuraCALIPSO: Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite ObservationCYGNSS-1: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 1CYGNSS-2: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 2CYGNSS-3: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 3CYGNSS-4: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 4CYNGSS-5: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 5CYGNSS-6: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 6CYGNSS-7: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 7CYGNSS-8: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 8CloudsatDSCOVR: Deep Space Climate ObservatoryGPM: Global Precipitation MeasurementGRACE-FO-1: Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow On-1GRACE-FO-2: Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow On-2ISS: International Space StationJason 2Jason 3Landsat 7Landsat 8OCO-2: Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2SMAP: Soil Moisture Passive ActiveSORCE: Solar Radiation and Climate ExperimentSuomi NPP: Suomi National Polar-orbiting PartnershipTerra Related pages
NASA's Earth Observing Fleet: March 2017
April 18th, 2017
Read moreNASA's Earth observing fleet as of March 2017 NASA's Earth observing fleet as of March 2017 with the A-train in highlighted in green This animation shows the orbits of NASA's fleet of Earth observing spacecraft that are considered operational as of March 2017. New elements in this version include the CYGNSS constellation and DSCOVR at L1. The clouds used in this version are from a high resolution GEOS model run at 10 minute time steps interpolated down to the per-frame level.The following spacecraft are included:AquaAuraCALIPSO: Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite ObservationCYGNSS-1: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 1CYGNSS-2: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 2CYGNSS-3: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 3CYGNSS-4: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 4CYNGSS-5: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 5CYGNSS-6: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 6CYGNSS-7: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 7CYGNSS-8: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 8CloudsatDSCOVR: Deep Space Climate ObservatoryGPM: Global Precipitation MeasurementGRACE-1: Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment-1GRACE-2: Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment-2ISS: International Space StationJason 2Jason 3Landsat 7Landsat 8OCO-2: Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2SMAP: Soil Moisture Passive ActiveSORCE: Solar Radiation and Climate ExperimentSuomi NPP: Suomi National Polar-orbiting PartnershipTerraQuikSCATAlso included:StarsMoonSunEarthL1: Sun-Earth Lagrange Point Related pages
NASA Earth Observing Fleet (February 2015)
Feb. 25th, 2015
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NASA Earth Observing Fleet (August 2014)
Sept. 9th, 2014
Read moreThis is the standard version with all spacecraft on for the entire animation. This version also includes hyperwall frames. NASM version of the fleet starting with Terra, Aqua, and Aura and then adding the rest of the Earth observing fleet This animation shows the orbits of NASA's fleet of Earth remote sensing observatories as of August 2014.The satellites include components of the A-Train:AquaAuraCloudSatCALIPSORecently launched missions:GPMOCO-2the International Space Stationand eleven others:AquariusSuomi NPPTerraSORCEGRACE Jason 2Landsat 7Landsat 8QuikSCATTRMMEO-1These satellites measure tropical rainfall, solar irradiance, clouds, sea surface height, ocean salinity, and other aspects of the global environment. Together, they provide a picture of the Earth as a system.This is an update of entry 3725. This update was created both for an annual presentation at the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) and for display on the NASA Center for Climate Simulation (NCCS) hyperwall, a 5 x 3 array of high-definition displays with a total pixel resolution of 9600 x 3240. The version for NASM starts with three flagship missions (Terra, Aqua, and Aura) then fades on the other spacecraft. The hyperwall version shows all of the spacecraft the entire time. The orbits are based on orbital elements with epochs on August 1, 2014. The NASM version is from 00:00:00 GMT to 12:10:26 GMT. The hyperwall version is from 00:00:00 GMT to 07:18:16 GMT. Related pages
NASA Earth Observing Fleet including GPM
Jan. 26th, 2014
Read moreNASA's Earth observing fleet including GPM (in red) and TRMM (in green) NASA's Earth observing fleet including GPM (all orbits colored blue) A newer version of this visualization can be found here.This animation shows the orbits of NASA's current (as of January 2014) fleet of Earth remote sensing observatories. The satellites include components of the A-Train (Aqua, Aura, CloudSat, CALIPSO), two satellites launched in 2011 (Aquarius, Suomi NPP), and eleven others (ACRIMSAT, SORCE, GRACE, Jason 1 and 2, Landsat 7, Landsat 8, GPM, QuikSCAT, TRMM, and EO-1). These satellites measure tropical rainfall, solar irradiance, clouds, sea surface height, ocean salinity, and other aspects of the global environment. Together, they provide a picture of the Earth as a system.This is an update of visualization #4070. The orbits are based on orbital elements with epochs in April of 2013. The visualization spans twenty-nine hours, from 04:10 UT on April 14, 2013 to 09:24 UT on Aril 15, 2013. Some simulated orbits where added, such as GPM, as they had not launched at the time these visualizations were created.Two versions of this visualization are provided. The first colors the orbits blue except that TRMM is colored green and GPM is colored red. The second visualization colors all of the orbits blue. Related pages
NASA Earth Observing Fleet including Landsat 8
June 26th, 2013
Read moreHD resolution version of NASA's Earth Observing Fleet (including Landsat 8) A newer version of this visualization can be found here.This animation shows the orbits of NASA's current (as of May 2013) fleet of Earth remote sensing observatories. The satellites include components of the A-Train (Aqua, Aura, CloudSat, CALIPSO), two satellites launched in 2011 (Aquarius, Suomi NPP), and nine others (ACRIMSAT, SORCE, GRACE, Jason 1 and 2, Landsat 7, Landsat 8, QuikSCAT, TRMM, and EO-1). These satellites measure tropical rainfall, solar irradiance, clouds, sea surface height, ocean salinity, and other aspects of the global environment. Together, they provide a picture of the Earth as a system.This is an update of visualization #3725. It was created for display on the NASA Center for Climate Simulation (NCCS) hyperwall, a 5 x 3 array of high-definition displays with a total pixel resolution of 6840 x 2304. The orbits are based on orbital elements with epochs in April of 2013. The visualization spans twenty-nine hours, from 04:10 UT on April 14, 2013 to 09:24 UT on Aril 15, 2013. Related pages
NASA's Orbiting Earth Observing Fleet (Improved Background)
Sept. 8th, 2005
Read moreNASA's Earth Observing Fleet NASA's Earth Observing Fleet NASA's Earth Observing fleet of vehicles constitutes a major milestone in the history of Earth science, facilitating the kinds of wide scale and synergistic research endeavors that until the last decade have been impossible to even consider. Many of the techniques being employed around Earth are a direct offshoot of technological and scientific techniques developed on missions to other worlds. NASA's continued commitment to primary research about our home remains a top priority not only to the agency, but to the nation, and the world as a whole. This visualization shows the spacecraft in NASA's Earth Observing fleet. The relative altitudes, speeds, and sun position are correct for 12-01-2003 starting at 5:00 UTC. Aura was added as it would have appeared in orbit had it already been launched at that time. This is an HD version that uses an earth with clouds. Related pages