Earth observation satellites are Earth-orbiting spacecraft with sensors used to collect imagery and measurements of the surface of the earth. These satellites are used to monitor short-term weather, long-term climate change, natural disasters. Earth observations satellites provide information for research subjects that benefit from looking at Earth’s surface from above (such as meteorology, oceanography, terrestrial ecology, glaciology, atmospheric science, hydrology, geology, and many more). Types of sensors on these satellites include passive and active remote sensors. Sensors on Earth observation satellites often take measurements of emitted energy over some portion of the electromagnetic spectrum (e.g., UV, visible, infrared, microwave, or radio).

The invention of climate research through the use of satellite remote telemetry began in the 1960s through development of space probes to study other planets. During the U.S. economic decline in 1977, with much of NASA's money going toward the shuttle program, the Reagan Administration proposed to reduce spending on planetary exploration. During this time, new scientific evidence emerged from ice and sediment cores that Earth's climate had experienced rapid changes in temperature, running contrary to the previously held belief that the climate changed on a geological time scale. These changes increased political interest in gathering remote-sensing data on the Earth itself and stimulated the science of climatology.

Classification The lists below classify Earth observation satellites in two large groups: satellites operated by government agencies of one or more countries (public domain) versus commercial satellites built and maintained by companies (private domain). The satellite lifetime, between launch and reentry, is often called a satellite mission. These lists focus on currently active missions, rather than inactive retired missions or planned future missions. However, some examples of past and future satellites are included. Active, inactive, or planned classifications are relevant as of 2021.

Satellites launched by governmental agencies Active government satellites

NameAgencyLaunch DescriptionALOS-2JAXA2014ALOS-4JAXA2024Alsat-2A and 2BAlgerian Space Agency (ASAL)2016Amazônia-1Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE)2021AquaNASA2002Carries six instruments to observe interactions among the four spheres for Earth's systems: oceans, land, atmosphere, and biosphere.ASNARO-2JAXA2018AuraNASA2004Studies earth's ozone, air quality, and climate though observation of composition, chemistry, and dynamics of the atmosphere.Badr-BPakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO)2001BiomassESA2025Comprehensive measurements of global forest biomassNational Academy of Sciences of Belarus2012Cartosat-1Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)2005Cartosat-2A and 2BISRO2007Cartosat-2C, 2D, 2E, and 2FISRO2016Cartosat-3ISRO2019CBERS-4Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) and China National Space Administration (CNSA) 2014Chollian 1, 2A, and 2BKARI2010Also known as Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellites (COMS). Used for communication, oceanography, and meteorological observation.CloudSatNASA2006Uses radar to measure the altitude and properties of clouds.COSMO-SkyMed 1 to 4Italian Space Agency (ASI)2007Used for defense and security assurance in Italy and other countries, seismic hazard analysis, environmental disaster monitoring, and agricultural mapping.CryoSat-2ESA2010CYGNSSNASA2016Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System.DSCOVRNASA2015Deep Space Climate Observatory. Designed to study the Sun-lit side of Earth from the L1 Lagrange point."DSCOVR Space Weather Sentinel Reaches Finish Line." Spaceflight Now. Retrieved: 21 December 2016.DubaiSat-1 and 2Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC)2009EarthCAREESA and JAXA2024Designed to study clouds and aerosols.Elektro-L No. 1, 2, and 3Russia's Roscosmos2011Fengyun 2D to 4AChina Meteorological Administration2006Translated from Chinese, the word Fengyun means "wind cloud." Series 3 satellites are Sun-synchronous and series 2 and 4 satellites are geosynchronous.Formosat-5Taiwan’s National Space Organization (NSPO)2017Gaofen-2CNSA2014Gaofen-3CNSA2016GOES-16 and 17NASA2016Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite. Collects weather observations. See also: List of GOES satellites.Gokturk-1Turkish Ministry of National Defense2016Used for mapping and planning, landcover survey, geology, ecosystem monitoring, disaster management, environmental control, coastal zone management, and water resources.Gokturk-2Turkish Ministry of National Defense2012Used for mapping and planning, landcover survey, geology, ecosystem monitoring, disaster management, environmental control, coastal zone management, and water resources.GPMNASA and JAXA2014Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory. Used to study rainfall and snowfall."GPM Launch Information". NASA. Retrieved: 21 December 2016.GRACE-FONASA2018Gravity and climate. The mission will track changes in global sea levels, glaciers, and ice sheets, as well as large lake and river water levels, and soil moisture.GOSATJAXA2009Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite. The first precise carbon dioxide observing satellite and precursor to OCO-2.Himawari 8 and 9Japan Meteorological Agency2014Similar to NASA's GOES satellites.ICESat-2NASA2018Measures ice sheet height changes for climate change diagnoses.IMS-1ISRO2008ISSNASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ESA, and CSA1998The International Space Station (ISS) has long been used as a central satellite platform for other sensors, including Earth observation sensors. For example: LIS, SAGE III, TSIS-I, ECOSTRESS, GEDI, OCO-3, Diwata-1, and HICO.Jason-3NASA and CNES2016Radar altimeter used to monitor ocean surface height.KhalifaSat MBRSC2018Also known as DubaiSat-3.KOMPSAT-2KARI2006Korean Multi-purpose Satellite-2. Also known as Arirang-2.KOMPSAT-3, 3A, and 5KARI2012Korean Multi-purpose Satellite-3, 3A, and 5. Also known as Arirang-3, 3A, and 5.LAGEOS-1 and 2NASA1976LAGEOS 1 launched in 1976 and LAGEOS 2 launched in 1992. Used as an orbiting benchmark for geodynamical studies.Landsat-8NASA and USGS2013Follow on to Landsat-7 with improved imager OLI and thermal sensor TIRS.Landsat-9NASA and USGS2021Follow on to Landsat-8 with OLI sensor and thermal sensor TIRS-2. Landsat-9 will extend the Landsat program to maintain the time series of these types of data.Megha-TropiquesCNES and ISRO2011Meteor-M No. 1 and 2Roscosmos2009Meteosat 8EUMETSAT2002Also known as MSG 1.MetOp A, B, and CNASA, ESA, and NOAA2006Meteorological Operational satellite. Part of the Polar Operational Environmental Satellites (POES) program.Mohammed VI-A and VI-BArianespace and Morocco2017See also: Vega flight VV11 and Vega flight VV13NigComSat-1RNASRDA2009DFH-4 satellite and replacement for the failed NigComSat-1NigeriaSat-1 and 2NASRDA2003Part of the worldwide Disaster Monitoring Constellation SystemNOAA-15, 18, and 19NASA, ESA, and NOAA1998Part of the Polar Operational Environmental Satellites (POES) program.NOAA-20NASA and NOAA2017Part of the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) program.Oceansat-2ISRO2009OCO-2NASA2014Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2. Part of the A-Train. The second precise carbon dioxide observing satellite after GOSAT.PACENASA2024Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, and ocean Ecosystem measures hyperspectral and polarimetric characteristics of solar radiation reflected off Earth’s surface and atmosphere.PakTES-1ASUPARCO2018PazSpain's Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial2018Pleiades 1A and 1BCNES2011PRISMAItalian Space Agency (ASI)2019PRecursore IperSpettrale della Missione Applicativa, in English: Hyperspectral Precursor of the Application Mission.PROBA-VESA2013Continues the traditional Vegetation (the "V" in PROBA-V) products that began with the SPOT satellites.PRSS-1SUPARCO2018Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite 1.RCMCSA2019RADARSAT Constellation Mission.RADARSAT-2CSA2007C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR-C) satellite.RASATTÜBITAK-UZAY2011Resourcesat-1 and 2ISRO2003Resurs-P No.1 and 2Roscosmos2013SAOCOMCONAE2018SARALISRO2013Sentinel-1A, B, C, and DESA2014Constellation of two, each satellite carries C-SAR sensor. Part of the Copernicus Programme.Sentinel-2A, B, and CESA2015Constellation of three, each satellite carries MSI sensor for high spatial resolution imaging. Part of the Copernicus Programme.Sentinel-3A and BESA2016Constellation of two, each satellite carries sensors OLCI and SLSTR. Slightly coarser spatial resolution and more spectral bands than Sentinel-2. Part of the Copernicus Programme.Sentinel-6A and BESA2020Continuing the legacy of the Jason series missions, Sentinel-6/Jason-CS will extend the records of sea level (sea surface height) and provide information for operational oceanography, marine meteorology, and climate studies.SMAPNASA2015Soil Moisture Active Passive. Measures soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state, which enhance understanding of processes that link water, energy, and carbon cycles to extend the capabilities of weather and climate models. Radar payload failed in July 2015, leaving a radiometer as the primary instrument of the mission."NASA Soil Moisture Radar Ends Operations, Mission Science Continues." NASA. Retrieved: 21 December 2016.Suomi NPPNASA2011Part of the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) program.SWOTCNES and NASA2022TanDEM-XDLR2010TerraNASA1999Carries five instruments to observe the state of the atmosphere, land, and oceans, as well as their interactions with solar radiation and with one another.TerraSAR-XDLR2007THEOSGISTDA2008Also known as Thaichote.TIMEDNASA2001Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere, Energetics, and Dynamics.VNREDSat-1AVAST2013The Vietnamese Natural Resources, Environment and Disaster Monitoring Satellite.VRSS-1 and 2ABAE2012The Venezuelan Remote Sensing Satellite.Sentinel-5 Precursor (S5P)ESA2017SMOSESA2009

Inactive government satellites