A recent celebration of the 60th anniversary of the launch of Explorer 1 reflected on the incredible progress and scientific insights from this and subsequent space missions.
satellites
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Moon’s Magnetic Field May Magnetize Iron That Hits Its Surface
Scientists are using satellite data to study large impact basins on the surface of the Moon that contain magnetic anomalies.
Posted inScience Updates
A Novel Approach to a Satellite Mission’s Science Team
NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ocean Ecosystem satellite mission, still in planning stages, operates with a framework that could serve as an example for science support of future missions.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Ocean Wind Satellites Observe an Amazonian Drought
Satellites designed to observe ocean winds can also be used to map both forest structure and water content, allowing researchers to disentangle factors of carbon loss due to drought in the Amazon.
Posted inNews
Report Recommends Priorities for Earth Observations from Space
The new strategic plan, which builds on earlier road maps for observing the planet, identifies top targets for satellite scrutiny for the next decade.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Tracing Electric Currents That Flow Along Earth’s Magnetic Field
A new study uses satellite data to examine a worldwide system of electric currents in greater detail than ever before.
Posted inNews
Advanced Satellite Tracks Air Pollution in Extraordinary Detail
The unparalleled resolution of the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-5P’s spectrometer will allow scientists to pinpoint pollution sources, the agency reports.
Posted inEditors' Vox
Examining our Eyes in the Sky
A recent paper in Reviews of Geophysics explored the challenges of validating data collected from Earth observation satellites.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Reducing Errors in Satellite-Derived Arctic Sea Ice Thicknesses
Salty snow throws off satellite-based estimates of Arctic sea ice thickness by up to 25%. A new method seeks to fix that.
Posted inNews
Polar Satellite Launch Eases Concerns of Weather Data Gap
Joint Polar Satellite System-1 is the first in a series of planned polar-orbiting satellites to provide critical weather forecasting data. Two follow-on satellites, however, face uncertain funding.