How satellites decode the complex interactions of our planet's many spheres

Space · Published 8 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: From tracking wildfire smoke to monitoring ocean plankton, orbital missions do more than just take pictures. By observing the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and cryosphere, specialized satellite fleets allow scientists to monitor the intricate, invisible connections that sustain life on Earth.

To truly understand Earth, scientists must look beyond simple photography. The European Space Agency (ESA) utilizes a family of satellites known as Earth Explorers to study the planet as a geosphere. This involves analyzing the complex interactions between various sub-spheres, including the atmosphere, ionosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and even the Earth's interior. Current missions in this programme include CryoSat, EarthCARE, SMOS, and Swarm, with future additions like Biomass and FLEX expected to expand our observational capabilities.

NASA complements these efforts with a fleet of satellites providing constant data on oceans, land surfaces, and the atmosphere. A key recent addition is the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite, launched in February 2024. Unlike standard visible-light photography, PACE's Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) utilizes a hyperspectral range, including ultraviolet, near-infrared, and shortwave infrared light. This allows researchers to distinguish between different atmospheric particles, such as small, sooty smoke from January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles versus larger particles like dust or sea salt.

These high-tech observations provide critical real-world utility. For instance, ultraviolet measurements from PACE can track dust plumes across the Atlantic, such as those originating from North Africa in August 2025. Furthermore, by combining specific wavelengths, researchers can determine the intensity of a fire, providing vital data for emergency responders. Beyond disasters, these satellites help manage public health by warning local managers about water quality issues, such as potential cyanobacteria blooms in freshwater ecosystems like the Great Lakes.

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