Gathering information about the Earth's surface, oceans, and atmosphere using satellites, aircraft, and drones, often as imagery and sensor data.
Earth observation satellites carry instruments such as optical cameras, radar that sees through clouds and darkness, and sensors that measure heat, moisture, or atmospheric gases. Public programs such as NASA and the US Geological Survey's Landsat, running since 1972, and the European Union's Copernicus program provide large amounts of free data, while commercial companies operate constellations that image many places daily.
Uses include monitoring crop health, tracking deforestation, assessing flood and wildfire damage, planning cities, checking construction progress, and verifying supply chains. For example, an insurer might use satellite images taken before and after a storm to assess claims more quickly. Raw imagery is increasingly turned into ready-to-use insights through analytics and machine learning. Questions around privacy, resolution limits, and responsible use of high-detail imagery are part of the field.
A field of AI that enables computers to interpret and understand images and video.
Low Earth OrbitThe region of space roughly 160 to 2,000 km above Earth, home to the International Space Station and many communication satellites.
Satellite ConstellationA group of satellites working together as a system to provide coverage, such as global internet, navigation, or Earth imaging.
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