Earth imaging

Extracted Attributes

• Sensor Types

  Optical, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Passive, Active

• Key Applications

  Planetary intelligence, mapping, climate monitoring, weather tracking, agriculture

• Alternative Names

  Satellite imagery, Earth observation imagery, spaceborne photography, remote sensing

• Common Resolutions

  0.3 m to 22 m and more

Timeline

• First basic satellite-derived land-cover maps are created. (Source: American Scientist)

  1960-01-01

• Prior to this year, satellites were primarily used for military missions rather than civilian Earth monitoring. (Source: Polar Geospatial Center)

  1972-01-01

• Earth imagery is commercialized but faces initial funding challenges. (Source: Polar Geospatial Center)

  1984-01-01

• The Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992 is passed in the US, enabling commercial satellite imaging and sales. (Source: Polar Geospatial Center)

  1992-10-28

Satellite imagery

Satellite images (also Earth observation imagery, spaceborne photography, or simply satellite photo) are images of Earth collected by imaging satellites operated by governments and businesses around the world. Satellite imaging companies sell images by licensing them to governments and businesses such as Apple Maps and Google Maps.

Web Search Results

• Newcomers Earth Observation Guide | ESA Space Solutions

  This document focuses primarily on operational applications of Earth Observation data. Many other science applications are also possible. ## 2. TYPES OF EARTH OBSERVATION IMAGERY In this section, a classification of the different kinds of available Earth Observation imagery is proposed. The main distinctions are made on the nature (passive or active) of the sensing instrument providing the image and on the wavelength of the electromagnetic spectrum in which the observation is made. The electromagnetic transparency of the atmosphere, as illustrated in Figure 1, allows for the observation of Earth’s surface in the visible spectrum (0.39 to 0.70 μm), in a part of the infrared spectrum (from 0.70 to 14 μm) and in the radio wave range (from 1 cm to 11m). ### 2.1 Passive imagery [...] The aim of this guide is to help non-experts in providing a starting point in the decision process for selecting an appropriate Earth Observation (EO) solution. EO is defined as the process of acquiring observations of the Earth’s surface and atmosphere via remote sensing instruments. The acquired data is usually in the form of digital imagery. Earth’s surface can be observed from different platforms, each presenting its own advantages and limitations. Aerial platforms, for instance, generally provide the best resolutions and are very adjustable to the users’ needs, but the high cost of chartering a plane and paying the related manpower (pilots and technicians) restricts its use. Drones, also called Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), are a fast-growing technology that tackles this [...] The National Imagery Interpretability Rating Scale (NIIRS) is used as a standard to quantify the interpretability or usefulness of an image. This "rating" scale, originally inspired by the military to qualify aerial imaging, runs from 0 (worst quality) to 9 (best quality). An excerpt is presented in Figure 14, which also provides an approximate relation between NIIRS scale and GSD (GSD being one of several factors influencing the interpretability of an image). Figure 14: Excerpt of NIIRS scale related to GSD (Source: ) ### 3.2 Scene size

• Fifty Years of Earth-observation Satellites | American Scientist

  Image courtesy of NASA/JAXA. The increasing number of Earth-observation satellites and the availability of imagery are driving down data costs. Free online databases and open distribution of processed imagery are making many types of data available to all. Although this is a welcome trend, it remains exceptional, with even unprocessed data from numerous satellites not readily available and many operators still charging high fees for imagery. [...] From the first basic satellite-derived land-cover maps of the 1960s, to today's stunning online three-dimensional replicas of the Earth, cartography based on satellite imagery has proved to be a consistent and repeatable approach. Such imagery has changed the paradigm of mapping, moving it beyond political borders and topographic landscapes. By sensing outside the visible spectrum, satellites have given us the first large-scale maps of weather patterns, vegetation health, atmospheric pollutants, soil moisture and rock types, among others. Moreover, satellite-derived cartography of the Earth's climate regions and habitats has helped to map species distributions (from tsetse flies to elephants) and disease risks (from Ebola to malaria). [...] Figure 5. Satellites provide a wealth of information across the globe and in multiple measurement bands. A compilation of satellite images taken in multiple spectral bands gives a whole-Earth picture of land cover, called the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) (center). Other images show Hurricane Katrina and sea-surface temperatures as seen by the Terra satellite’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) (a); a view of Washington, D.C., in false color from Landsat (b); recent Greenland ice sheet elevation changes, red showing an increase and blue a decrease, from SeaSat data (c); European snow coverage from MODIS imagery (d); the stark difference in nighttime lights between North and South Korea, as shown by Defense Meteorological Satellite Programme Operational

• Remote Sensing / Earth Observation - Space Communication Technologies

  Remote sensing is a technology used to collect information about the Earth's surface from a distance, typically using satellites equipped with advanced sensors. These sensors capture data by detecting the reflected or emitted radiation from the Earth's surface across various wavelengths. Satellite imagery can cover vast areas of the Earth’s surface, including remote areas, which could help in cost reduction and reduce the field of work (cost-effective). Furthermore, satellite imagery provides consistent data that can give insights usually overlooked and builds an archive of imagery and data which prove to be helpful in current and future studies & applications. #### Why do we use Remote Sensing? [...] ###### Imagery resolutions available/ products Resolution refers to the level of detail that an image can capture and display. It’s determined by the smallest object or feature that can be clearly distinguished in the image. Resolutions available: 0.3 m 0.5 m 1 m 5 m 10 m 22 m and more Sensor types: + Optical optical imagery refers to images of the Earth's surface that are captured using sensors on satellites, which detect and record visible light and sometimes near-infrared light. These sensors work like very powerful cameras, taking detailed pictures of the Earth from space. + SAR [...] EN | AR ## Remote sensing / Earth observation Remote sensing is a technology used to collect information about the Earth's surface from a distance, typically using satellites equipped with advanced sensors. These sensors capture data by detecting the reflected or emitted radiation from the Earth's surface across various wavelengths, including visible light, infrared, and radar. Leveraging our huge collection of archived imagery or new tasking acquisition, SCT acts as a one-stop shop for all your needs.

• Earth Observation Data Basics - NASA Earthdata

  A representative image for Earth Observation Data Basics. Earth Observation Data Basics Learn key terms and concepts like remote sensing and processing levels. A representative image for GIS Resources. GIS Resources Explore resources for the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) community, including StoryMaps. A representative image for GIS Resources. Earthdata Forum Connect with researchers and data users to discover tools and uses for Earth science data. Data in Action Data in Action demonstrates Earth science data applications with interactive explanations as to how the work was accomplished. Data Recipes [...] Take a deeper dive into NASA Earth science data. Image from May 26, 2026 of sea surface temperature anomalies indicating warmer than normal temperatures. False-color corrected reflectance image from May 20, 2026 of the Santa Rosa Island fire in California from the VIIRS instrument aboard the NOAA-21 platform Earthdata Data Basics page hero image # Earth Observation Data Basics # Earth Observation Data Basics ## Remote Sensing

• Introduction to Satellite Imagery – Polar Geospatial Center

  Before 1972, satellites weren’t designed to study or monitor Earth’s surface. Instead, they were mainly used for military missions. Imagery was commercialized in 1984, but faced many funding issues. This led to the passing of the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992. The new law embraced the value of remote sensing technology, promoted research and public sector applications, and allowed commercial companies to launch satellites and sell imagery. As a result, Earth observation satellites specifically intended for non-military applications were designed for long-term global observations of the land surface, oceans, biosphere, and atmosphere.