NASA’s orbital fleet monitors Earth’s complex systems from the atmosphere to the ocean floor.

Space · Published 8 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: NASA maintains an extensive network of satellites and instruments to study Earth as a single, interconnected system. From measuring soil moisture and ocean currents to tracking deforestation and atmospheric composition, these missions provide critical data for predicting extreme weather, understanding climate change, and safeguarding the future of our planet.

NASA’s Earth Science Division manages a vast array of missions that observe our planet from multiple vantage points, including satellites, the International Space Station, airplanes, and ground-based sensors. These tools allow researchers to monitor diverse phenomena such as land cover, vegetation health, ocean temperatures, and the movement of atmospheric gases. By integrating data from these varied sources, scientists can analyze the complex interactions between Earth’s water, energy, and carbon cycles, which are essential for improving climate models and weather forecasting.

The scope of these missions is immense, ranging from the global scale down to minute processes. For instance, missions like SMAP provide high-resolution measurements of surface soil moisture to help predict natural hazards, while others like PACE track phytoplankton to assess ocean health. Newer initiatives are pushing the boundaries of precision; the upcoming STRIVE mission, planned for 2029, aims to capture over 400,000 daily atmospheric profiles, offering significantly higher resolution than current capabilities. These advancements are vital for tracking long-term changes, such as the impact of deforestation on CO2 concentrations or the thinning of ice sheets.

The longevity of these programs is a cornerstone of NASA’s strategy. The Landsat program, for example, maintains the longest continuous space-based record of Earth’s surface, a legacy that continues with the development of Landsat 10. Meanwhile, international collaborations and partnerships with agencies like NOAA and EUMETSAT ensure that operational data remains consistent. As missions like EDGE and PolSIR prepare for launch in 2030, they will continue to refine our understanding of terrestrial ecosystems and the dynamic nature of our atmosphere, ensuring that humanity remains equipped to address the challenges of a changing climate.

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