Sea Surface Temperature data from infra-red and micro-wave sensors

ERS-1 satellite carries a suite of instruments, including a radar altimeter, to observe Earth, in particular its atmosphere and ocean and provide data for scientific and commercial applications.
ERS-1 was launched in July 1991 and was ESA's first sun-synchronous polar orbiting remote sensing mission. It has been operated till march 2000. ERS-1 flew on three different orbits:
- a 3-day repeat period for calibration and ice-sea observation,
- a 35-day repeat period for multi-disciplinary ocean observations,
- a 168-day repeat period for geodetic applications.
The ERS (European Remote Sensing Satellites) earth observation mission has been operating for over 10 years (ERS-1, ERS-2). ERS altimeter data (measurement of the sea surface topography, the wave height,...), scatterometer data (measurement of the surface wind speed and direction over the ocean), and micro-wave sounder data (brightness temperature, atmospheric vapour content,...) are processed and distributed by Ifremer/Cersat.

< 07/1991 - 03/2000 >
< repeat cycle= 35 days >
< 82°S - 82°N >
< 0° - 360° >

ERS-1 Links:
- ERS official web site
- Mission operations
- User services

ERS-2 satellite carries a suite of instruments, including a radar altimeter, to observe Earth, in particular its atmosphere and ocean and provide data for scientific and commercial applications.
The ERS (European Remote Sensing Satellites) earth observation mission has been operating for over 10 years. ERS-2, the follow-on from ERS-1, was launched in 1995. It was used in tandem with ERS-1 from August 1995 to June 1996, their identical orbits (35 days) having a one-day shift.
Radar altimeter data (measurement of the sea surface topography, the wave height,...), scatterometer data (measurement of the surface wind speed and direction over the ocean), and micro-wave sounder data (brightness temperature, atmospheric vapour content,...) are processed and distributed by Ifremer/Cersat. Since June 2004, ERS-2 onboard tape recorder used for the altimeter data have had failures. This means that altimeter data are unavailable except within the visibility of ESA ground stations over Europe, North Atlantic, the Arctic and western North America. Envisat took over from that time.

< 04/1995 - 06/2004 >
< repeat cycle= 35 days >
< 82°S - 82°N >
< 0° - 360° >

ERS-2 Links:
- ERS official web site
- Mission operations
- User services

Terra satellite provides global data on the state of the atmosphere, land, and oceans, as well as their interactions with solar radiation and with one another. Its data are also playing a vital role in the development of validated, global, interactive Earth system models able to predict global change accurately enough to assist policy makers in making sound decisions concerning the protection of our environment.
Terra with Aqua is the flagship of the US EOS programme. Terra's orbit around the Earth is timed so that it passes from north to south across the equator in the morning, while Aqua passes south to north over the equator in the afternoon. They are viewing the entire Earth's surface every 1 to 2 days. Their data will improve our understanding of global dynamics and processes occurring on the land, in the oceans, and in the lower atmosphere. They are also playing a vital role in the development of validated, global, interactive Earth system models able to predict global change accurately enough to assist policy makers in making sound decisions concerning the protection of our environment.
Ocean color data are distributed by NASA/GSFC MODIS center.
 

Terra Links:
- Terra official web site
- MODIS center
- ASTER instrument
- MODIS instrument

GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) program is a cooperative effort between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), the United Kingdom (UK), and France. Associated spacecraft help meteorologists observe and predict local weather events, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, fog, flash floods, and other severe weather. In addition, GOES observations have proven helpful in monitoring dust storms, volcanic eruptions, and forest fires.
The GOES mission is composed of at least two geostationary satellites which operate in pairs. The geostationary satellites, GOES-East covering the East Coast and GOES-West covering the West Coast, provide real-time weather data for use in short-term weather forecasting (warnings of severe weather) and space environment monitoring, as well as research and development. Currently, the GOES system consists of GOES-12 (M), launched on july 23, 2001 operating as GOES-East in the eastern part of the constellation at 75° west longitude, and GOES-10 (K), launched in April 1997 operating as GOES-West at 135° west longitude.
GOES is part of the largest GOES/POES program (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite / Polar Operational Environmental Satellite), a key element in National Weather Service (NWS) operations.
 

GOES Links:
- GOES/POES program
- Satellite operations

Envisat (ENVIronmental SATellite) is an advanced polar-orbiting Earth observation satellite which will provide measurements of the atmosphere, ocean, land, and ice over a five year period. The Envisat satellite has an ambitious and innovative payload that will ensure the continuity of the data measurements of the ERS satellites.
The Envisat data will support Earth science research and allow monitoring of the evolution of environmental and climatic changes. Furthermore, they will facilitate the development of operational and commercial applications.
Envisat will be part of the coming operational era in oceanography, offering near-real time data access.

lt; 03/2002 - present >
< repeat cycle= 35 days >
< 72°S - 72°N >
< 0° - 360° >

Envisat Links:
- Envisat official web site

MSG-1 (Meteosat Second Generation) is a significantly enhanced follow-on system to the previous generation of Meteosat. It has been designed in response to user requirements and serves the needs of Nowcasting applications and Numerical Weather Prediction in addition to provision of important data for climate monitoring and research. It is operated by Eumetsat.
The space segment comprises three satellites, MSG-1, MSG-2 and MSG-3. Based on these MSG satellites, the MSG Programme is expected to provide an operational service to the users over at least 12 years. Discussions started in 2000 at Eumetsat Council, for a possible extension of the Programme. The procurement of a fourth MSG satellite would allow an increased duration of the operational service.
The Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) system will continue to provide the operational services required by Meteorological Services and other users that were established with the Meteosat Operational Programme (MOP) and Meteosat Transition Programme (MTP) series. However, due to more demanding user requirements and improvements in technology there have been changes in the implementation of these services. The more frequent and comprehensive data collected by MSG aids the weather forecaster in the swift recognition and prediction of dangerous weather phenomena such as thunderstorms, fog and explosive development of small but intense depressions which can lead to devastating wind storms.
 

Metosat Second Generation Links:
- Meteosat Second Generation

Aqua satellite aims to the multidisciplinary study of the Earth's interrelated processes (atmosphere, oceans, and land-surface) and their relationship to Earth system changes. Aqua with Terra is the flagship of the US EOS programme. Terra's orbit around the Earth is timed so that it passes from north to south across the equator in the morning, while Aqua passes south to north over the equator in the afternoon. They are viewing the entire Earth's surface every 1 to 2 days. Their data will improve our understanding of global dynamics and processes occurring on the land, in the oceans, and in the lower atmosphere. They are also playing a vital role in the development of validated, global, interactive Earth system models able to predict global change accurately enough to assist policy makers in making sound decisions concerning the protection of our environment.
Ocean color data are distributed by NASA/GSFC MODIS center.
 

Aqua Links:
- Aqua official web site
- MODIS center
- MODIS ocean browse
- MODIS instrument

POES (Polar Operational Environmental Satellite) program is a cooperative effort between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), the United Kingdom (UK), and France. NOAA-M (17) satellite, launched on June 24, 2002, is the latest of the POES series. Next satellite NOAA-N (18) is scheduled for february 2005.
POES is part of the largest GOES/POES program (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite / Polar Operational Environmental Satellite), a key element in National Weather Service (NWS) operations. Operated since the 1980's, the mission continue to provide meteorologist and private interests with continuous global coverage and meteorological data today. Currently, the POES mission is composed of two polar orbiting satellites known as the Advanced Television Infrared Observation Satellites (TIROS) - N (ATN). Operating as a pair, these satellites primarily provide long-range weather forecasting ensuring that non-visible data for any region of the Earth are no more than six hours old.
 

POES Links:
- GOES/POES program
- Satellite operations

POES (Polar Operational Environmental Satellite) program is a cooperative effort between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), the United Kingdom (UK), and France. NOAA-N (18) satellite of the POES series launched on may 2005. NOAA-M (17), launched on June 24, 2002, is the latest. Next satellite NOAA-O (19) is scheduled for year 2007.
POES is part of the largest GOES/POES program (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite / Polar Operational Environmental Satellite), a key element in National Weather Service (NWS) operations. Operated since the 1980's, the mission continue to provide meteorologist and private interests with continuous global coverage and meteorological data today. Currently, the POES mission is composed of two polar orbiting satellites which primarily provide long-range weather forecasting ensuring that non-visible data for any region of the Earth are no more than six hours old.
 

POES Links:
- GOES/POES program
- Satellite operations

POES (Polar Operational Environmental Satellite) program is a cooperative effort between National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa, the United Kingdom (UK), and France. NOAA-O (19) satellite of the POES series is scheduled for year 2007. NOAA-M (17), launched on June 24, 2002 and NOAA-N (18), scheduled early 2005, are the latest. From now, POES mission will move to the new NPOES program.
POES is part of the largest GOES/POES program (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite / Polar Operational Environmental Satellite), a key element in National Weather Service (NWS) operations. Operated since the 1980's, the mission continue to provide meteorologist and private interests with continuous global coverage and meteorological data today. Currently, the POES mission is composed of two polar orbiting satellites which primarily provide long-range weather forecasting ensuring that non-visible data for any region of the Earth are no more than six hours old.
 

POES Links:
- GOES/POES program
- NPOES program
- NPOES Preparatory Project