Earth observing satellite (EOS) is an artificial satellite designed to study Earth’s atmosphere, land surfaces, and oceans. It may also be called an Earth observation satellite. Using information gathered by Earth observing satellites, scientists and researchers study environmental changes over time. They thus seek to understand the causes and effects of these changes. The satellites can also aid in short-term goals. Such goals include improving weather forecasting and providing timely information on the effects of natural disasters.
Earth observing satellites carry many types of scientific instruments. These instruments constantly collect information on cloud properties, levels of precipitation, and wind patterns. They also gather data on temperatures at Earth’s surface and pollutants in the atmosphere. In addition, they gather information on many other features, events, and processes related to Earth’s geology, weather, and environment. Transmitters on the satellites send the information to ground stations. There, computers assemble it into a data system. Atmospheric scientists, biologists, meteorologists, oceanographers, and other scientists can then analyze the data.
The Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) coordinates international EOS missions. The committee is an international organization. Its membership includes the world’s government agencies that operate EOS systems with nonmilitary applications. It also includes the agencies that receive and process the satellite data. In the United States, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) operates a system of Earth observing satellites. These satellites are part of a program called the Earth Science Enterprise. This program seeks to explore how Earth’s systems of air, land, water, and life interact with one another. In 2004, Algeria, Nigeria, Turkey, and the United Kingdom completed a network of four Earth observing satellites. This network is called the Disaster Monitoring Constellation. The satellites follow a special orbit. This orbit allows them to photograph the effects of a natural disaster anywhere on Earth’s surface once every 24 hours.
See also Satellite, Artificial (Earth observing satellites) ; Weather satellite .
