AstronautAtlas
Search the complete archive…
Loading AstronautAtlas records
Program archive
Earth Observing System
Earth Observing System is explored here through 4 archived missions, from Terra through Aura, with the program’s spacecraft, people, milestones, and source-backed history connected along the way.
- Missions
- 4
- People
- 0
- Vehicles
- 4
Explore this program
Choose a path through the Earth Observing System archive.
Earth Observing System missions
Every archived Earth Observing System mission, in launch order.
Earth Observing System mission filtersNarrow missions by program, type, destination, crew, era, or status.Show filtersHide filters
Showing missions 1–4 of 4
AquaActive in a drifting orbitUncrewed Earth-observation and climate satelliteAfternoon Sun-synchronous orbit followed by a controlled free driftAqua launched on May 4, 2002 into afternoon sun-synchronous orbit followed by a controlled free drift.
TerraActive with reduced instrument operationsUncrewed Earth-observation and climate satelliteDescending morning Sun-synchronous low Earth orbitTerra launched on December 18, 1999 into descending morning sun-synchronous low earth orbit.
ICESatCompleted after nearly seven years of elevation observationsRoboticNear-polar low Earth orbitMeasure ice-sheet elevation and mass balance, sea-ice freeboard, cloud height and vertical structure, land topography, and vegetation canopy height with spaceborne laser altimetry.
AuraActiveUncrewed Earth-observation and climate satelliteAfternoon Sun-synchronous low Earth orbitAura launched on July 15, 2004 into afternoon sun-synchronous low earth orbit.