The following is a catalogue of satellite missions, ln date order. For each mission, the following information is given:
You can find the missions by clicking on the year below, or by searching the pages sequentially.
See also the Instrument catalogue
Source: CEOS Yearbook
| Mission (Agency) |
Status | Launch date/ Duration |
Orbit details | Instruments | Primary application areas |
| NIMBUS 3 (NASA) | N/A | April 1969 3 years |
Sun-synchronus, 99.9 deg inclinaison, 1075 km, 107.4 min | IRIS | Meteorology |
| NIMBUS 4 (NASA) | N/A | April 1970 10 years |
Sun-synchronus | IRIS, BUV | Multi-purpose satellite |
| NIMBUS 6 (NASA) | N/A | June 1975 8 years |
Sun-synchronus | LRIR | Multi-purpose satellite |
| NIMBUS 7 (NASA) | N/A | October 1978 10 years |
Sun-synchronus | LIMS, SAM II, SAMS, SBUV/1, TOMS | Multi-purpose satellite |
| SAGE/AEM-2 | N/A | January 1979 2 years |
Sun-synchronus | SAGE I | Multi-purpose satellite |
| LANDSAT 4 (NOAA) |
In service | January 1982 12 years |
Near polar, sun synchronous, crossing 0945h LST, 705km, 99 mins, 16 days | LANDSAT Comms, MSS, TM | Land surface, Earth resources |
| LANDSAT 5 (NOAA) |
In service | March 1984 13 years 6 months |
Near polar, sun synchronous, crossing 0945h LST, 705km, 99 mins, 16 days | LANDSAT Comms, MSS, TM | Land surface, Earth resources |
| NOAA 9 (NOAA) |
In service | December 1984 12 years 9 months |
Polar, sun synchronous, crossing 1015h LST crossing, 843km | ARGOS, AVHRR/2, ERBE, HIRS/2, MSU, S&R (NOAA), SBUV/2, SEM, SSU | Meteorology, Agriculture and forestry, Environmental monitoring, Climatology, Physical oceanography, Volcanic eruption monitoring, ice and snow cover, ozone studies, space environment, solar flux analysis, life-saving capability through Search and Rescue |
| SPOT 1 (CNES) |
In service | February 1986 13 years 10 months |
Sun synchronous, 1031h LST, 832km, 101 mins, 26 days | HRV | Cartography, land surface, agriculture and forestry, civil planning and mapping, digital terrain models, environmental monitoring |
| NOAA 10 (NOAA) |
In service | December 1986 11 years 3 months |
Polar, sun synchronous, crossing 1015h LST crossing, 843km | ARGOS, AVHRR/2, ERBE, HIRS/2, MSU, S&R (NOAA), SEM, TOVS(HIRS/2 + MSU + SSU) | Meteorology, Agriculture and forestry, Environmental monitoring, Climatology, Physical oceanography, Volcanic eruption monitoring, ice and snow cover, ozone studies, space environment, solar flux analysis, life-saving capability through Search and Rescue |
| GOES 7 (NOAA) |
In service | February 1987 7 years 11months |
Geostationary | DCS, S&R (GOES), SEM, VISSR and VAS (GOES-7), WEFAX | Meteorology, atmospheric dynamics, land surface, space environment, search and rescue, data collection, WEFAX (weather facsimile service) |
| Resource-01 N2 | in service | January 1988 6 years |
Sun-synchronus | MSU-E, MSU-SK | |
| IRS 1a (ISRO) |
In service | March 1988 9 years 6 months |
Sun synchronous, 904km, 103 mins, 22 days | LISS I, LISS II | Land surface, agriculture and forestry regional geology, land use studies, water resources, vegetation studies, coastal studies and soils |
| NOAA 11 (NOAA) |
In service | September 1988 9 years |
Polar, sun synchronous, pm crossing, 846km | ARGOS, AVHRR/2, HIRS/2, MSU, S&R (NOAA), SBUV/2, SEM, SSU | Meteorology, Agriculture and forestry, Environmental monitoring, Climatology, Physical oceanology, Volcanic eruption monitoring, ice and snow cover, total ozone studies, space environment, solar flux analysis, life-saving capability through Search & Rescue |
| GMS-4 (NASDA) |
In service | September 1989 8 years |
Geostationary | VISSR (GMS4) | Meteorology |
| SPOT 2 (CNES) |
In service | January 1990 9 years 11 months |
Sun synchronous, crossing LST 10:31, 832km, 101 mins, 26 days | DORIS, HRV | Cartography, land surface, agriculture and forestry, civil planning and mapping, digital terrain models, environmental monitoring |
| NOAA 12 (NOAA) |
In service | May 1991 6 years 4 months |
Near polar, sun synchronous, am crossing, 813km, 101.3 mins | ARGOS, AVHRR/2, HIRS/2, MSU, SEM | Meteorology, agriculture and forestry, environmental monitoring, climatology, physical oceanography, Volcanic eruption monitoring, ice and snow cover, total ozone studies, space environment, solar flux analysis, life-saving capability through Search & Rescue |
| ERS-1 (ESA) |
In service | July 1991 8 years 5 months |
Near circular, sun synchronous, 782-785km, 100 mins, 3, 35, 176 days | AMI - SAR image mode, AMI - SAR wave mode, AMI - Scatterometer mode, ATSR, MWR, RA | Earth resources plus physical oceanography, ice and snow, land surface, meteorology, geodesy/gravity, environmental monitoring |
| IRS 1b (ISRO) |
In service | August 1991 6 years 1 month |
Sun synchronous, 904km, 103 mins, 22 days | LISS 1, LISS II | Land surface, agriculture and forestry regional geology , land use studies, water resources, vegetation studies, coastal studies and soils |
| METEOR-3 N5 (ROSHYDROMET) |
In service | August 1991 1 years 5 months |
Near polar, 81-83 deg, 1200km, 109.4 mins | 174-K, MR-2000M, MR-900B, RMK-2, SFM-2 |
Agriculture and forestry, atmospheric dynamics/water and energy cycles, climatology, environmental monitoring, hydrology, hydrometeorology, ice and snow, land surface, meteorology, space environment |
| UARS (NASA) |
In service | September 1991 3 years |
57 deg inclination, 600km, 97 mins, 36 days | ACRIM II, CLAES, HALOE, HRDI, MLS (UARS), PEM, SOLSTICE, SUSIM, WINDII | Atmospheric chemistry (middle to upper atmosphere), atmospheric dynamics/water and energy cycles Research mission |
| JERS 1 (NASDA) |
In service | February 1992 5 years 7 months |
Sun synchronous, 568km, 96 mins, 44 days | OPS, SAR | Earth resources Land surface |
| INSAT IIa (ISRO) |
In service | July 1992 9 years 1 month |
Geostationary | BSS & FSS transponders, SRT-S&R, VHRR | Meteorology, data collection and communication, search and rescue |
| TOPEX/ POSEIDON (NASA) |
In service | August 1992 7 years |
Non sun-synchronous, 66 deg inclination, 1336km, 112 mins 25.8 sec, 9 days, 21 hours 58 mins 32 secs | ALT, DORIS, GPSDR, LRA, POSEIDON (aka SSALT), TMR | Physical oceanography, geodesy/gravity |
| LAGEOS I (NASA) |
In service | October 1992 8 years |
101 deg inclination, 6000km |
Laser cornercube reflectors | Geodesy, crustal motion and gravity field measurements by laser ranging |
| LAGEOS II (NASA) |
In service | October 1992 8 years |
52 deg inclination, 5900km | Laser cornercube reflectors | Geodesy, crustal motion and gravity field measurements by laser ranging |
| Resource-F2 series (RSA) |
In service | January 1993 3 years |
82.3 deg inclination, 240km, 89.22 mins, 16 days | MK-4 | Land surface, physical oceanography |
| Resource-F3 series (RSA) |
In service | January 1993 5 years |
82.3 deg inclination, 240, 275, 340km, 89.22 mins, 14 days | KFA-3000 | Cartography (land and ocean) 1:25000 and below |
| NOAA 13 (NOAA) |
In service | January 1993 11 years 3 months |
Polar, sun synchronous, crossing 1015h LST crossing, 843km | ARGOS, AVHRR/2, EHIC, HIRS/2,MAXIE, MSU, S&R (NOAA), SBUV/2, SEM, SSU | Meteorology, Agriculture and forestry, Environmental monitoring, Climatology, Physical oceanography, Volcanic eruption monitoring, ice and snow cover, ozone studies, space environment, solar flux analysis, life-saving capability through Search and Rescue |
| MECB SCD-1 (INPE) |
In service | February 1993 3 years |
25 deg inclination, 750km, 100 min | DCP | Data collection and communication |
| INSAT IIb (ISRO) |
In service | July 1993 7 years |
Geostationary | BSS & FSS transponders, SRT-S&R, VHRR | Meteorology, data collection and communication, search and rescue |
| METEOR-2 N24 (ROSHYDROMET) |
In service | August 1993 8 years |
82.5 deg inclination, 900km, 102.5 mins | MR-2000, MR-900, RMK-2 |
Land surface, physical oceanography, atmospheric dynamics/water and energy cycles |
| STELLA (CNES) |
In service | September 1993 6 years 3 months |
Circular, 98 deg inclination, 830km | Laser reflectors | Geodesy/gravity Study of the Earth's gravitational field and its temporal variations |
| METEOSAT 6 (EUMETSAT) |
In service | November 1993 7 years 7 months |
Geostationary | MVIRI | Meteorology, climatology |
| METEOR-3 N7 (RSA) |
In service | January 1994 2 years |
Sun-synchronus | 174-K, ISP, Klimat, MR-2000M, MR-900B, RMK-2 |
Agriculture and forestry, atmospheric dynamics/water and energy cycles, climatology, environmental monitoring, hydrology, hydrometeorology, ice and snow, land surface, meteorology, space environment |
| GOES 8 (NOAA) |
In service | April 1994 5 years |
Geostationary | DCS, IMAGER, S&R (GOES), SEM, SOUNDER, WEFAX | Meteorology (primary mission), search and rescue, space environment monitoring, data collection platform, data gathering, WEFAX |
| IRS P2 (ISRO) |
In service | October 1994 3 years |
Sun synchronous, 817km, 101.35 mins | LISS II | Land surface, agriculture and forestry, regional geology, land use studies, water resources, vegetation studies, coastal studies and soils |
| Ocean-01 N7 (ROSHYDROMET) |
In service | October 1994 4 years |
Near polar, 82.6 deg inclination, 650km, 98 mins | KONDOR-2, MSU-M, MSU-S, RLSBO, RM-0.8 | Agriculture and forestry, climatology, data collection and communication, hydrology, hydrometeorology, ice and snow, land surface, meteorology |
| Electro-GOMS N1 (RSA) |
In service | November 1994 4 years |
Geostationary at 76 deg East, 36000km, 24 hour | BRK, BTVK, RMS | Climatology, data collection and communication, disaster warning, hydrometeorology, ice and snow, land surface, meteorology, space environment. Continuous observation of cloud cover and Earth's surface |
| Resource-01 N3 (ROSHYDROMET) |
In service | November 1994 4 years |
Near polar, sun synchronous 98 deg inclination, 670km | MSU-E, MSU-SK (Resource-01 N3) | Agriculture and forestry, hydrology, environmental monitoring, hydrometeorology, ice and snow, land surface, meteorology |
| NOAA 14 (NOAA) |
In service | December 1994 2 years 9 months |
Near polar, sun synchronous, pm crossing, 851km, 102.1 mins | ARGOS, AVHRR/2, HIRS/2, MSU, S&R (NOAA), SBUV/2, SEM, SSU | Meteorology, agriculture and forestry, environmental monitoring, climatology, physical oceanography, Volcanic eruption monitoring, ice and snow cover, total ozone studies, space environment, solar flux analysis, life-saving capability through Search and Rescue |
| INSAT IId (ISRO) |
In service | January 1995 7 years |
Geostationary | BSS & FSS transponders, SRT-S&R, VHRR | Meteorology, data collection and communication, search and rescue |
| Resource-F1M series (RSA) |
In service | January 1995 3 years |
82.3 deg (1,2: near-circular, 3: elliptical), 1:235km 2:285km, 3:180-305km, 89.16 mins, 14 days | KFA-1000 KFA-200 |
Land surface, physical oceanography, geodesy/gravity |
| INSAT IIc (ISRO) |
In service | January 1995 7 years |
Geostationary | BSS & FSS transponders, SRT-S&R, VHRR | Meteorology, data collection and communication, search and rescue |
| GMS-5 (NASDA) |
In service | March 1995 5 years |
Geostationary | VISSR (GMS5) | Meteorology |
| ERS-2 (ESA) |
In service | April 1995 4 years 8 months |
Sun synchronous, 785km, 10.30 LST descending phase, 100.5 mins | AMI - SAR image mode, AMI - SAR wave mode, AMI - Scatterometer mode, ATSR-2, GOME, MWR, PRARE, RA | Earth resources plus physical oceanography, ice and snow, land surface, meteorology, geodesy/gravity, environmental monitoring, atmospheric chemistry |
| GOES 9 (NOAA) |
In service | May 1995 3 years |
Geostationary | DCS, IMAGER, S&R (GOES), SEM SOUNDER, WEFAX | Meteorology (primary mission), search and rescue, space environment monitoring, data collection, platform, data gathering, WEFAX |
| SICH-1 (NSAU) |
In service | August 1995 2 years 1 month |
82.5 deg inclination, 650km, 98 mins | MSU-M, MSU-S | Physical oceanography, hydrometeorology |
| RADARSAT (CSA) |
In service | November 1995 5 years 2 months |
Dawn-dusk, 98.6 deg inclination, ascending crossing 1800h LST, 793km-821km, 7 & 3 day subcycles, 24 days | SAR | Environmental monitoring, physical oceanography, ice and snow, land surface |
| IRS 1c (ISRO) |
In service | December 1995 3 years |
Sun synchronous, 817km, 101.35 mins, 24 days | LISS III, PAN, WiFS | Land surface, agriculture and forestry regional geology, land use studies, water resources, vegetation studies, coastal studies and soils, cartography, digital terrain models |
| Resource-02 | In service | January 1996 2 years | Sun-synchronus | MIVZA-M, MSU-E1, MSU-SK | |
| LAGEOS III (NASA) |
In service | January 1996 8 years |
52 deg inclination, 5900km | Laser cornercube reflectors | Geodesy, crustal motion and gravity field measurements by laser ranging |
| METEOR-3 N8 (RSA) |
In service | January 1996 2 years |
Sun-synchronus | 174-K, ISP, Klimat, MIVZA MR-2000M, MR-900B, RMK-2 |
Agriculture and forestry, atmospheric dynamics/water and energy cycles, climatology, environmental monitoring, hydrology, hydrometeorology, ice and snow, land surface, meteorology, space environment |
| Resource-F2M series (RSA) |
Firm/ approved | January 1996 2 years |
82.3 deg inclination, 240km, 89.22 mins, 14 days | MK-4M | Agriculture and forestry, cartography, civil planning, digital terrain models, earth resources, hydrology, ice and snow, land surface, ocean biology/ocean colour, physical oceanography |
| PRIRODA (RSA) |
In service | January 1996 3 years |
MIR space station, 51.6 deg inclination, 380-420km | ALISSA, DOPI, IKAR-D, IKAR-N, IKAR-P, ISTOK-1, MOMS-2P, MOS (PRIRODA), MSU-E2, MSU-SK (PRIRODA), Ozon-M, R-400, Travers SAR, TV camera | Agriculture and forestry, atmospheric chemistry, atmospheric dynamics/water and energy cycles, climatology, digital terrain models, meteorology, ocean biology/ocean colour, physical oceanography, space environment |
| IRS P3 (ISRO) |
In service | March 1996 3 years |
Sun synchronous, 817km, 101.35 mins | MOS, WiFS, X-ray astronomy payload | Ocean biology, physical oceanography, land surface, agriculture and forestry, water resources, vegetation and coastal studies |
| TOMS Earth Probe (NASA) |
In service | July 1996 2 years |
Sun synchronous, 670-690km, 98 mins | TOMS | Atmospheric chemistry, Ozone and sulphur dioxide measurements |
| ADEOS I (NASDA) |
Firm/ approved | August 1996 1 years |
Circular, sun synchronous 1030h ±15mins LST, approx 802.9km, approx 101 mins, 4 days (57 revisit) | ADEOS Comms, AVNIR, IMG, ILAS, POLDER, NSCAT, OCTS, PR, RIS, TOMS | Atmospheric dynamics/water and energy cycles Land surface Physical oceanography |
| ALMAZ-1B (RSA) | Proposed | January 1997 3 years | Sun-synchronus | Balkan 2 Lidar, MSU-E2, MSU-SK, SAR-10, SAR-3, SAR-70, SILVA, SLR-3, SROSMO | |
| SeaStar (NASA) | N/A | January 1997 5 years |
Sun-synchronus | SeaWiFS | |
| GOES 10 (NOAA) |
In service | April 1997 5 years |
Geostationary | DCS, IMAGER, S&R (GOES), SEM, SOUNDER, WEFAX | Meteorology (primary mission), search and rescue, space environment monitoring, data collection platform, data gathering, WEFAX |
| FY-2A (NRSCC) |
In service | June 1997 3 years |
Geostationary at 105 deg East | Multispectral Visible & IR Scan Radiometer (3 channel) | Meteorology and environmental monitoring Data collection and redistribution |
| OrbView-2 (NASA) |
In service | August 1997 5 years |
Polar, sun synchronous, crossing 1200h LST, descending, 705km, 99 mins, 2 days | SeaWiFS | Ocean biology/ocean colour, physical oceanography |
| IRS 1d (ISRO) |
In service | September 1997 3 years |
Sun synchronous, 817km, 101.35 mins, 24 days | LISS III, PAN, WiFS | Land surface, agriculture and forestry regional geology, land use studies, water resources, vegetation studies, coastal studies and soils |
| MECB SCD-2A (INPE) |
Firm/ approved | September 1997 2 years |
25 deg inclination, 750km, 100mins | DCP | Data collection and communication |
| METEOSAT 7 (MTP) (EUMETSAT) |
In service | October 1997 5 years |
Geostationary | MVIRI | Meteorology, climatology |
| TRMM (NASA) |
In service | November 1997 3 years |
35 deg inclination, 350km | CERES, LIS, PR, TMI, VIRS | Atmospheric dynamics/water and energy cycles |
| SPOT 4 (CNES) |
In service | March 1998 5 years |
Sun synchronous, 830km, 101 mins, 26 days | DORIS, HRVIR, VEGETATION | Cartography, land surface, agriculture and forestry, civil planning and mapping, digital terrain models, environmental monitoring |
| NOAA 15 (NOAA) |
In service | May 1998 3 years |
Near polar, sun synchronous, am crossing, 825-850km | AMSU-A, AMSU-B, ARGOS, AVHRR/3, HIRS/3, S&R (NOAA), SEM |
Meteorology, agriculture and forestry, environmental monitoring, climatology, physical oceanography, Volcanic eruption monitoring, ice and snow cover, total ozone studies, space environment, solar flux analysis, life-saving capability through Search and Rescue |
| Resource-01 N4 (RSA) |
Proposed | July 1998 2 years |
Near polar, sun synchronous, 98 deg inclination, 670km | ISP-2M, MR-900M, MSU-E1, MSU-SK (Resource-01 N4), RMK-2, SFM-2 |
Land surface, physical oceanography |
| IRS P4 (aka OCEANSAT-1) (ISRO) |
Firm/ approved | July 1998 5 years |
Sun synchronous, LST noon ± 20 mins descending, 720km, 98 mins, approx 22 days | MSMR, OCM | Ocean biology, physical oceanography |
| MECB SCD-2 (INPE) |
In service | August 1998 2 years 4 months |
25 deg inclination, 750km, 100mins | DCP | Data collection and communication |
| Odin (SNSB) |
Firm/ approved | September 1998 2 years |
Circular, polar, sun synchronous terminator orbit, 620km, 97 mins, 5 days (±100km at equator) | IR imager, radiometer, UV-visible spectrometer | Astronomy/aeronomy mission Atmospheric chemistry, atmospheric dynamics/water and energy cycles, climatology, astronomy |
| OKEAN-O (NSAU) |
Firm/ approved | September 1998 1 year |
Near polar, sun synchronous, 98 deg inclination, 670km, 98 mins | DELTA-2, KONDOR-2, MSU-M, MSU-S, R-225, RLSBO | Agriculture and forestry, hydrology, environmental monitoring, crop and soil monitoring, forest and tundra fires, pollution monitoring |
| GOES L (NOAA) |
Firm/ approved | February 1999 5 years |
Geostationary | DCS, IMAGER, S&R (GOES), SEM, SOUNDER, WEFAX | Meteorology (primary mission), search and rescue, space environment monitoring. Data collection platform, data gathering, WEFAX |
| LANDSAT 7 (NASA) |
In service | April 1999 5 years |
Polar, sun synchronous, crossing equator 0945-1015h LST,98 deg inclinaison, 705km, 98 mins, 233 orbits/cycle, 16 days | LANDSAT Comms, ETM+ | Land surface, Earth resources |
| INSAT IIe (ISRO) |
In service | April 1999 7 years |
Geostationary | BSS & FSS transponders, CCD camera (INSAT-IIe), DRT-S&R, VHRR | Meteorology, data collection and communication, search and rescue |
| FY-1C (NRSCC) |
In service | May 1999 2 year |
Polar, sun synchronous, 870km, 102.3 mins, 14 days | Multispectral Visible & IR Scan Radiometer (10 channel) | Meteorology Environmental monitoring |
| QuickSCAT (NASA) | In service | June 1999 2 years |
Sun-synchronus, 98.6 deg inclinaison, 803 km | SeaWinds | near-surface wind speed and direction under all weather and cloud conditions over the Earth's oceans. |
| CHAMP (DARA) |
Firm/ approved | June 1999 5 years |
Non sun synchronous, 83 day inclination, 450km (beginning of life), 300km (end of life) | Magnetometry package (CHAMP), STAR Accelerometer, TRSR | Gravity field Precise geoid Magnetic field Atmospheric physics |
| IRS P5 (aka CARTOSAT-1) (ISRO) |
Firm /approved | June 1999 5 years |
Sun synchronous, 617km, approx 101 mins, 22 days | HR PAN, LISS IV | Cartography, digital terrain models, civil planning, resource and cadastre management |
| MTSAT (JMA) |
Firm/ approved | August 1999 5 years |
Geostationary | IMAGER (MTSAT) | Meteorology Aeronautical applications |
| METEOR-3M N1 (RSA) |
Proposed | October1999 2 years |
Near polar, sun synchronous, 1000km | KGI-4 C, Klimat, MIVZA, MR-2000M, MR-900M, MSGI-5EI, MTVZA, SAGE III, SFM-2 |
Agriculture and forestry, climatology, hydrology, hydrometeorology, ice and snow, land surface, meteorology, space environment |
| CBERS 1 (INPE) |
In service | October 1999 2 years |
Sun synchronous, crossing 1030h LST, 778km, 100 min, 26 days | CCD camera, DCP, IRMSS, WFI camera | Earth resources, environmental monitoring, land surface |
| ACRIMSAT (NASA) |
In service | December 1999 5 years |
TBD, 98.1 deg inclinaison, 720 km | ACRIM 3 | Will sustain long term solar luminosity database by providing measurements of total solar irradiance and the solar constant |
| EOS Terra (NASA) |
In service | December 1999 5 years 4 months |
Polar, sun synchronous, crossing 1030h LST, descending, 720km, 99 mins, 16 days | ASTER, CERES-2, MISR, MODIS, MOPITT | Atmospheric dynamics/water and energy cycles, Atmospheric chemistry, Physical and radiative properties of clouds, air-land exchanges of energy, carbon and water, vertical profiles of CO and methane vulcanology |
| ARIES-1 (CSIRO) |
Considered | 2000 5 years |
Circular, sun synchronous, 500km | Imaging spectrometer, Panchromatic sensor | Earth resources, agriculture and forestry, water resources, vegetation studies |
| ESSP - Vegetation Canopy Lidar (VCL) (NASA) |
Firm/ approved | TBD | 55 deg inclination, 390-410km | VCL | Land use, land cover, vegetation and topographic mapping |
| NIKA-Kuban (RSA) |
Proposed | 2000 2 years |
81.4 deg, 248-273km | Camea, Gemma | Land surface, physical oceanography |
| MDS-2 (NASDA) |
Proposed | 2000 1 year |
Equatorial, 30 deg inclination, 550km, 16 mins | LIDAR | Climatological data on clouds and aerosols |
| METEOR-3M N2 (RSA) |
Proposed | January 2000 3 years |
Near polar, sun synchronous, 98 deg inclination, 900km | KGI-4, MIVZA, MSGI-5, MSR (RSA), MTVZA, MZOAS, SAGE III, ScaRaB, SFM-2, TOMS | Land surface, physical oceanography, atmospheric dynamics/water and energy cycles, space environment |
| CBERS 2 (INPE) |
Firm/ approved | April 2000 2 years |
Sun synchronous, crossing 1030h LST, 778km, 100 mins, 26 days | CCD camera, DCP, IRMSS, WFI camera | Earth resources, environmental monitoring, land surface |
| ENVISAT 1 (ESA) |
Firm/ approved | May 2000 5 years |
Polar, 780-820km, 100.59 mins, 35 days | AATSR, ASAR, DORIS-NG, GOMOS, MERIS, MIPAS, MWR, RA-2, SCIAMACHY | Physical oceanography, land surface, ice and snow, atmospheric chemistry, atmospheric dynamics/water and energy cycles |
| FY-2B (NRSCC) |
Proposed | May 2000 2 years |
Geostationary at 105 deg East | Multispectral Visible & IR Scan Radiometer (3 channel) | Meteorology and environmental monitoring Data collection and redistribution |
| SICH-1M (NSAU) |
Firm/ approved | September 2000 1 year |
82.5 deg inclination, 650km, 98 mins | MSU-EU, MSU-M, RLSBO, RM-0.8 |
Physical oceanography, hydrometeorology |
| NOAA L (NOAA) |
Firm/ approved | September 2000 3 years |
Near polar, sun synchronous, pm crossing, 825-850km | AMSU-A, AMSU-B, ARGOS, AVHRR/3, HIRS/3, S&R (NOAA), SBUV/2, SEM |
Meteorology, agriculture and forestry, environmental monitoring, climatology, physical oceanography, Volcanic eruption monitoring, ice and snow cover, total ozone studies, space environment, solar flux analysis, life-saving capability through Search and Rescue |
| METEOSAT 8 (MSG 1) (EUMETSAT) |
Firm/ approved | October 2000 7 years |
Geostationary | GERB, SEVIRI | Meteorology, Climatology, Atmospheric dynamics/water and energy cycles |
| IRS P6 (aka RESOURCE SAT-1) (ISRO) |
Firm/ approved | December 2000 5 years |
Sun synchronous, 817km, approx 1001 mins, approx 22 days | AWiFs, LISS III (IRS-P6), LISS IV | Agriculture and forestry, disaster warning, Earth resources, environmental monitoring, land surface, ocean biology/ocean colour |
| NMP EO-1 (NASA) |
In service | November 2000 3 years |
Sun synchronous, 98.2 deg inclination, 1045h LST descending phase, 705km | ALI, Atmospheric Corrector, Hyperion | Innovative approach to future land imaging |
| RADARSAT-2 (CSA) |
Firm/ approved | 2001 5 years |
Dawn-dusk, 98.6 deg inclination, ascending crossing 1800h LST, 793km-821km, 7 & 3 day subcycles, 24 days | SAR | Environmental monitoring, physical oceanography, ice and snow, land surface |
| METEOR-3M N3 (RSA) |
Proposed | January 2001 3 years |
Near polar, sun synchronous, 98 deg inclination, 900km | 174-K, BUFS-4, ISP, KGI-4, KLIMAT-2, MIVZA-M, MTZA, MZOAS, TOMS | Land surface, physical oceanography, atmospheric dynamics/water and energy cycles, space environment |
| Triana (NASA) |
Proposed | TBD | TBD | EPIC, NISTAR, Plasma-Mag | |
| MECB SSR-1 (INPE) |
Firm/ approved | January 2001 3 years |
Equatorial, 0 deg inclination, 905km, 103 mins, 0.2 day | OBA | Earth resources, environmental monitoring, land surface |
| NOAA M (NOAA) |
Firm/ approved | April 2001 2 years |
Near polar, sun synchronous, pm crossing, 825-850km | AMSU-A, AMSU-B, ARGOS, AVHRR/3, HIRS/3, S&R (NOAA), SBUV/2, SEM |
Meteorology, agriculture and forestry, environmental monitoring, climatology, physical oceanography, Volcanic eruption monitoring, ice and snow cover, total ozone studies, space environment, solar flux analysis, life-saving capability through Search and Rescue |
| FedSat-1 (CSIRO) |
Firm/ approved | June 2001 5 years |
Circular orbit, inclination TBD, 1000km | GPS receiver, Magnetometer and advanced communications payload | Communications, data relay, near Earth environment, upper atmospheric physics, meteorology |
| QuickTOMS (NASA) | Firm/ approved | August 2001 5 years |
Sun-synchronus, 97.3 deg inclinaison, 800 km | TOMS | Ozone monitoring |
| Jason-1 (CNES) |
Firm/ approved | August 2001 3 years |
66 deg inclination, 1336km, 113 mins, 14 days | DORIS-NG, GPSDR, JMR (formerly AMR), LRA, POSEIDON-2 (aka SSALT-2) | Physical oceanography, geodesy/gravity, climate monitoring, marine meteorology |
| ADEOS II (NASDA) |
Firm/ approved | November 2001 3 years |
Circular, sun synchronous 1030h ±15mins LST, approx 802.9km, approx 101 mins, 4 days (57 revisit) | AMSR, DCS (NASDA/CNES), GLI, ILAS-II, POLDER, Sea Winds | Atmospheric dynamics/water and energy cycles Land surface Physical oceanography |
| ESSP-1B (aka GRACE) (NASA) |
Firm/ approved | November 2001 5 years |
89 degree inclination, initial altitude 485km | KBR, GPS, SuperStar | Detection of Earth gravity field variation |
| EOS Aqua (NASA) |
Firm/ approved | December 2001 6 years |
Polar, sun synchronous, crossing 1330h LST, ascending, 705km, 99 mins | AIRS, AMSR-E, AMSU, HSB, MODIS, CERES-II | Atmospheric dynamics/water and energy cycles, cloud formation, precipitation and radiative properties, air/sea fluxes of energy and moisture, sea ice extent and heat exchange with the atmosphere |
| FY-1D (NRSCC) |
Firm/ approved | December 2001 2 year |
Polar, sun synchronous, 870km, 102.3 mins, 14 days | Multispectral Visible & IR Scan Radiometer (10 channel) | Meteorology Environmental monitoring |
| Electro-GOMS N2 (RSA) |
Firm/ approved | December 2001 5 years |
Geostationary at 76 deg East, 36000km, 24 hour | BRK, BTVK, RMS | Climatology, data collection and communication, disaster warning, hydrometeorology, ice and snow, land surface, meteorology, space environment. Continuous observation of cloud cover and Earth's surface. |
| ICESat (NASA) |
Firm/ approved | December 2001 5 years |
Non-sunsynchronus, 94 deg inclinaison, 600 km | GLAS, GPS | Ice sheet mass balance, cloud heights, sea level change, land topography |
| SPOT 5 (CNES) |
Firm/ approved | 2002 8 years |
Sun synchronous, 830km, 101 mins, 26 days | DORIS-NG, HRG, VEGETATION | Cartography, land surface, agriculture and forestry, civil planning and mapping, digital terrain models, environmental monitoring |
| MECB SCD-3 (INPE) |
Firm/ approved | 2002 2 years |
0 deg inclination, 750km, 100mins | DCP, LEO communication transponder | Data collection and communication |
| METEOR-3M N4 (RSA) |
Proposed | January 2002 3 years |
Near polar, sun synchronous, 98 deg inclination, 900km | 174-K, BUFS-4, ISP, KGI-4, KLIMAT-2, MIVZA-M, MTZA, MZOAS, TOMS | Land surface, physical oceanography, atmospheric dynamics/water and energy cycles, space environment |
| GCOM-A1 (NASDA) | Proposed | February 2002 5 years |
inclined, non-sunsynchronus | ODUS, SOFIS | land observing |
| GOES M (NOAA) |
Firm/ approved | April 2002 3 years 4 months |
Geostationary | DCS, IMAGER, S&R (GOES), SEM, SOUNDER, SXI, WEFAX | Meteorology (primary mission), search and rescue, space environment monitoring, data collection platform, data gathering, WEFAX |
| GOES N (NOAA) |
Firm/ approved | April 2002 5 years |
Geostationary | Meteorology (primary mission), search and rescue, space environment monitoring, data collection platform, data gathering, WEFAX | |
| METEOSAT 9 (MSG 2) (EUMETSAT) |
Firm/ approved | April 2002 7 years |
Geostationary at 0 deg of longitude | GERB, SEVIRI | Meteorology, Climatology, Atmospheric dynamics/water and energy cycles |
| SORCE (NASA) |
Firm/ approved | July 2002 6 years |
non-sunsynchronus, 40 deg inclinaison, 600 km | SIM, SOLSTICE, TIM, XPS | Solar radiation and climate experiment |
| ALOS (NASDA) |
Firm/ approved | August 2002 3 years |
Sun synchronous, 691km, 46 days | AVNIR-2, PALSAR, PRISM (NASDA) | Cartography, digital terrain models, environmental monitoring, disaster monitoring, civil planning, agriculture and forestry, Earth resources, land surface |
| SICH-2 (NSAU) |
Considered | September 2002 5 years |
82.5 deg inclination, 650km, 98 mins | MSU-UM, SU-UMS, SU-VR | Physical oceanography, hydrometeorology |
| IRS P7 (OCEANSAT,CLIMATSAT) (ISRO) | Proposed | December 2002 5 years | Inclined, non-sunsynchronus | TBD | Oceanography and sea-ice |
| ESA Future Missions (ESA) |
Proposed | 2003 10 years |
Polar and possibly other LEOs | ALADIN, ATLID, Cloud radar, COALA, Gradiometer, GRAS, Laser altimeter, MASTER, MHS, MIPAS, MWR, PRISM, Radar altimeter, Rain radar, SAR (ESA Future Missions), SOPRANO, VIS/IR imager | Physical oceanography, land surface, ice and snow, atmospheric dynamics/water and energy cycles |
| CARTOSAT-2 (ISRO) |
Proposed | 2003 5 years |
Sun synchronous, 617km, approx 101 mins, approx 22 days | TBD | Cartography, digital terrain models, civil planning, resource and cadastre management |
| MTSAT-2 (Ministry of Aeronautical TransportationControl, Japan) |
Proposed | 2003 5 years |
Geostationary | IMAGER (MTSAT) | Meteorology, Aeronautical applications |
| METOP 1 (EUMETSAT) |
Proposed | June 2003 5 years |
Polar, sun synchronous, at 0930h LST in descending phase, approx 840km, 101.7 mins | ASCAT, GOME-2, GRAS, IASI, MHS | Meteorology Climatology |
| EOS Aura (NASA) |
Firm/ approved | June 2003 6 years |
Polar, sun synchronous, 705km, 99 mins | HiRDLS, MLS (EOS-CHEM), OMI, TES | Atmospheric chemistry Atmospheric dynamics/water and energy cycles |
| ESSP (Cloudsat) (NASA) |
Firm/ approved | September 2003 3 years |
98.2 deg inclinaison, 705 km | CPR | Climate monitoring |
| NOAA N (NOAA) |
Firm/ approved | December 2003 1 years 6 months |
Near polar, sun synchronous, pm crossing, 825-850km | AMSU-A, ARGOS, AVHRR/3, HIRS/4, MHS, MHS, S&R (NOAA), SBUV/2, SEM | Meteorology, agriculture and forestry, environmental monitoring, climatology, physical oceanography, Volcanic eruption monitoring, total ozone studies, ice and snow cover, solar flux analysis, space environment, life-saving capability through Search and Rescue |
| Jason Follow-on (CNES) |
Proposed | 2004 3 years |
66 deg inclination, 1336km, 113 mins, 10 days | DORIS-NG, GPSDR, JMR (formerly AMR), LRA, POSEIDON-2 (aka SSALT-2 | Physical oceanography, geodesy/gravity, climate monitoring, marine meteorology |
| MECB SSR-2 (INPE) |
Firm/ approved | January 2004 4 years |
Equatorial, 0 deg inclination, 905km, 103 mins, 0.2 days | OBA | Earth resources, environmental monitoring, land surface |
| ESSP-3 (Picasso-Cena) (NASA) |
Firm/ approved | April 2004 | Lidar, Visible Wide Field Camera, Imaging Infrared Radiometer | global set of data on Aerosol and cloud properties, radiative fluxes, and atmospheric state | |
| GOES O (NOAA) |
Firm/ approved | April 2004 5 years |
Geostationary | Meteorology (primary mission), search and rescue, space environment monitoring, data collection platform, data gathering, WEFAX | |
| IRS-3 (ISRO) |
Proposed | 2005 5 years |
TDB | TBD | SAR instrument for land and marine applications |
| METEOSAT 10 (MSG 3) (EUMETSAT) |
Firm/ approved | June 2006 8 years |
Geostationary | GERB, SEVIRI | Meteorology, Climatology, Atmospheric dynamics/water and energy cycles |
| METOP 2 (EUMETSAT) |
Proposed | December 2006 5 years |
Polar, sun synchronous, TBD | ASCAT, GOME-2, GRAS, IASI, MHS |
Meteorology, Climatology |
| GOES P (NOAA) |
Firm/ approved | April 2007 5 years |
Geostationary | Meteorology (primary mission), search and rescue, space environment monitoring, data collection platform, data gathering, WEFAX | |
| NOAA N' (NOAA) |
Firm/ approved | July 2007 2 years |
Near polar, sun synchronous, pm crossing, 825-850km | AMSU-A, ARGOS, AVHRR/3, HIRS/4, MHS, S&R (NOAA), SBUV/2, SEM | Meteorology, agriculture and forestry, environmental monitoring, climatology, physical oceanography, Volcanic eruption monitoring, ice and snow cover, total ozone studies, solar flux analysis, space, environment, life-saving capability through Search and Rescue |
| NPOESS 1 (NOAA) |
Firm/ approved | January 2009 5 years |
Near polar, sun synchronous, pm crossing, 825-850km | AMSU-A, ARGOS,ATMS, AVHRR/3, CrIS, HIRS/3, MHS, S&R (NOAA), SBUV/3, SEM, VIIRS | Meteorology, climatology and other environmental applications |
| GOES Q (NOAA) |
Firm/ approved | April 2010 5 years |
Geostationary | Meteorology (primary mission), search and rescue, space environment monitoring, data collection platform, data gathering, WEFAX | |
| METOP 3 (EUMETSAT) |
Proposed | June 2010 5 years |
Polar, sun synchronous, descending phase, approx 840km, 101.7 mins | ASCAT, GRAS, IASI, MHS | Meteorology, climatology |
| NPOESS 2 (NOAA) |
Firm/ approved | July 2010 5 years |
Near polar, sun synchronous, pm crossing, 825-850km | AMSU-A, ARGOS,ATMS, AVHRR/3, CrIS, HIRS/3, MHS, S&R (NOAA), SBUV/3, SEM, VIIRS | Meteorology, climatology and other environmental applications |
| NPOESS 3 (NOAA) |
Firm/ approved | January 2013 5 years |
Near polar, sun synchronous, pm crossing, 825-850km | AMSU-A, ARGOS,ATMS, AVHRR/3, CrIS, HIRS/3, MHS, S&R (NOAA), SBUV/3, SEM, VIIRS | Meteorology, climatology and other environmental applications |
| NPOESS 4 (NOAA) |
Firm/ approved | January 2016 5 years |
Near polar, sun synchronous, pm crossing, 825-850km | AMSU-A, ARGOS,ATMS, AVHRR/3, CrIS, HIRS/3, MHS, S&R (NOAA), SBUV/3, SEM, VIIRS | Meteorology, climatology and other environmental applications |