🛰️ World Satellite Directory
Comprehensive catalog of Earth observation satellites with sources, resolution, and download instructions — 83 satellites, 49 free.
Landsat 9 Active
NASA / USGS • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 2021 Free
Latest in the Landsat series, providing continuous moderate-resolution Earth observation since 1972. Gold standard for land change detection.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Register at USGS EarthExplorer
- Search by location/date/cloud cover
- Select Landsat 9 OLI-2/TIRS-2 Collection 2
- Download Level-1 or Level-2 products
- Also available in Google Earth Engine as ee.ImageCollection("LANDSAT/LC09/C02/T1_L2")
Landsat 8 Active
NASA / USGS • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 2013 Free
Operational Land Imager providing high-quality multispectral imagery. Combined with Landsat 9, enables 8-day revisit.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Register at USGS EarthExplorer
- Search Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS
- Download Collection 2 Level-2 products
- Available in GEE as ee.ImageCollection("LANDSAT/LC08/C02/T1_L2")
Sentinel-2A/2B Active
ESA / Copernicus • 🇪🇺 EU • Launched 2015 Free
High-resolution multispectral imager with 13 spectral bands. Premier free satellite for vegetation, soil, and water monitoring.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Visit Copernicus Browser (browser.dataspace.copernicus.eu)
- Create free Copernicus account
- Search by AOI, date range, cloud cover
- Download L1C (TOA) or L2A (BOA) products
- GEE: ee.ImageCollection("COPERNICUS/S2_SR_HARMONIZED")
MODIS (Terra & Aqua) Active
NASA • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 1999 Free
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer on Terra and Aqua satellites. Ideal for large-scale daily monitoring.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Visit NASA LAADS DAAC
- Select MODIS product (MOD09, MOD13, MOD11, etc.)
- Choose temporal and spatial extent
- Download HDF/NetCDF files
- GEE: ee.ImageCollection("MODIS/061/MOD13Q1")
VIIRS (Suomi NPP / NOAA-20) Active
NASA / NOAA • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 2011 Free
Next-generation successor to MODIS. Provides global environmental monitoring with nighttime lights capability.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Visit LAADS DAAC
- Select VIIRS product suite
- Filter by date and region
- Download in HDF5 format
SPOT 6/7 Active
Airbus Defence & Space • 🇫🇷 France • Launched 2012 Commercial
High-resolution commercial satellite constellation by Airbus. Excellent for urban mapping and infrastructure.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Visit Airbus GeoStore
- Create account and request quote
- Define AOI and specifications
- Purchase and download
PlanetScope Active
Planet Labs • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 2016 Commercial
200+ Dove nanosatellites providing daily 3m global coverage. Revolutionary for change detection.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Apply at planet.com/education for free academic access
- Or purchase commercial license
- Use Planet Explorer to search
- Download via API or browser
WorldView-3 Active
Maxar Technologies • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 2014 Commercial
Highest commercial resolution satellite. Industry-leading with 31cm panchromatic and SWIR capabilities.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Contact Maxar for licensing
- Access via SecureWatch platform
- Also available through GBDX
- Academic access programs available
SkySat Active
Planet Labs • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 2013 Commercial
21 satellites capturing sub-meter imagery and HD video from orbit. Unique video capability.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Access via Planet platform
- Commercial or NICFI tropical access
- API integration available
Pléiades Neo Active
Airbus Defence & Space • 🇫🇷 France • Launched 2021 Commercial
Next-gen Airbus constellation with 30cm native resolution and deep blue band for coastal applications.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Visit OneAtlas Living Library
- Create account
- Search and preview
- Purchase via credits or subscription
Sentinel-1A Active
ESA / Copernicus • 🇪🇺 EU • Launched 2014 Free
Free C-band SAR satellite providing all-weather, day/night imagery. Essential for flood mapping and ground deformation.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Visit ASF Data Search (search.asf.alaska.edu)
- Or use Copernicus Browser
- Select GRD (Ground Range Detected) or SLC products
- Download and process with SNAP toolkit
- GEE: ee.ImageCollection("COPERNICUS/S1_GRD")
ALOS-2 (PALSAR-2) Active
JAXA • 🇯🇵 Japan • Launched 2014 Freemium
L-band SAR satellite with excellent forest penetration. Key for biomass estimation and forest monitoring.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Register at JAXA G-Portal
- Some products free, some restricted
- ALOS-2 mosaic tiles available freely
- Process with SNAP or ASF tools
RADARSAT Constellation Active
CSA / MDA • 🇨🇦 Canada • Launched 2019 Restricted
Three-satellite constellation for maritime surveillance, disaster management, and ecosystem monitoring.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Access EODMS portal
- Government or licensed users
- Limited open access for research
- Contact CSA for partnerships
NISAR Active
NASA / ISRO • 🇺🇸🇮🇳 USA/India • Launched 2024 Free
Joint NASA-ISRO mission — world's most expensive Earth observation satellite. Dual-frequency SAR for ecosystem and hazard science.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Data distribution starting 2025
- Will be available via NASA DAAC
- ASF will host L-band products
- ISRO will distribute S-band
ICEYE Active
ICEYE • 🇫🇮 Finland • Launched 2018 Commercial
Microsatellite SAR constellation providing rapid-revisit high-resolution radar imagery for flood and change monitoring.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Contact ICEYE sales
- Subscription or per-scene purchase
- API access available
- Flood data program for select partners
Capella Space Active
Capella Space • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 2020 Commercial
Ultra-high-resolution commercial SAR. Sub-meter imagery through clouds and at night.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Access Capella Console
- Free trial for evaluation
- Purchase individual scenes or subscribe
ECOSTRESS (ISS) Active
NASA / JPL • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 2018 Free
Mounted on ISS, measures plant temperature and water stress. Unique diurnal thermal cycle data.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Access NASA LP DAAC
- Search ECOSTRESS products (ECO2LSTE, ECO3ET)
- Download via AppEEARS or directly
ASTER (Terra) Active
NASA / METI • 🇺🇸🇯🇵 USA/Japan • Launched 1999 Free
Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer. ASTER GDEM is widely used for topography.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- NASA Earthdata Search
- Register for free account
- Search ASTER L1T or GDEM
- GEE: ee.Image("ASTER/AST_L1T_003")
GOES-16/17/18 Active
NOAA / NASA • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 2016 Free
Geostationary operational environmental satellites providing continuous weather monitoring over the Americas.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Access NOAA CLASS
- Or AWS Open Data (s3://noaa-goes16)
- Real-time via GEE
- Use GOES2go Python package
Meteosat Third Gen (MTG) Active
EUMETSAT • 🇪🇺 EU • Launched 2022 Free
Latest European geostationary weather satellite with Flexible Combined Imager and Lightning Imager.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Register at EUMETSAT Data Store
- Search MTG/FCI products
- Download Level-1 or Level-2
- EUMETView for quick visualization
Himawari-9 Active
JMA • 🇯🇵 Japan • Launched 2023 Free
Japan's geostationary weather satellite covering Asia-Pacific with advanced imaging capabilities.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Register at JAXA P-Tree System
- Access Himawari Standard Data
- Real-time imagery available
GPM (Global Precipitation) Active
NASA / JAXA • 🇺🇸🇯🇵 USA/Japan • Launched 2014 Free
Core observatory for Global Precipitation Measurement mission. Provides global rain and snow data.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Access NASA GES DISC
- Select GPM IMERG product
- Download half-hourly, daily, or monthly
- GEE: ee.ImageCollection("NASA/GPM_L3/IMERG_V07")
SRTM Decommissioned
NASA / NGA • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 2000 Free
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission — the most widely used DEM globally. Covers 60°N to 56°S.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Download from USGS EarthExplorer
- Or dwtkns.com/srtm30m for easy tile access
- OpenTopography for processed data
- GEE: ee.Image("USGS/SRTMGL1_003")
ICESat-2 Active
NASA • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 2018 Free
Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System. Photon-counting LiDAR for ice sheet, vegetation, and ocean profiling.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Access NSIDC DAAC
- Search ICESat-2 products (ATL03, ATL06, ATL08)
- Download in HDF5 format
- Use icepyx Python package
TanDEM-X Active
DLR / Airbus • 🇩🇪 Germany • Launched 2010 Freemium
Twin satellite SAR interferometry mission producing the world's most accurate global DEM at 12m.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- 90m DEM freely available from DLR
- 12m DEM requires proposal to DLR
- Commercial access via Airbus
- Download 90m from geoservice.dlr.de
Sentinel-3A/3B Active
ESA / EUMETSAT • 🇪🇺 EU • Launched 2016 Free
Multi-instrument mission for ocean and land monitoring. Ocean color, sea surface temperature, and altimetry.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Access Copernicus Browser
- Select Sentinel-3 products
- Choose OLCI (color) or SLSTR (thermal)
- GEE: ee.ImageCollection("COPERNICUS/S3/OLCI")
Jason-3 / Sentinel-6 Active
NASA / EUMETSAT / CNES • 🇺🇸🇪🇺🇫🇷 • Launched 2016 Free
Reference mission for sea level monitoring. Continues the TOPEX/Jason altimetry record since 1992.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Register at AVISO+
- Download sea level products
- Or access via EUMETSAT Data Store
Sentinel-5P (TROPOMI) Active
ESA / KNMI • 🇪🇺🇳🇱 EU/Netherlands • Launched 2017 Free
TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument for air quality. Measures NO₂, O₃, SO₂, CO, CH₄, aerosols.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Access Copernicus Browser
- Select Sentinel-5P products
- Download L2 trace gas products
- GEE: ee.ImageCollection("COPERNICUS/S5P/OFFL/L3_NO2")
GRACE-FO Active
NASA / GFZ • 🇺🇸🇩🇪 USA/Germany • Launched 2018 Free
Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On. Maps monthly changes in Earth's gravity to track water mass.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Access NASA PO.DAAC
- Download monthly gravity solutions
- Mascon or spherical harmonic products
- GEE: ee.ImageCollection("NASA/GRACE/MASS_GRIDS/MASCON")
PRISMA Active
ASI (Italian Space Agency) • 🇮🇹 Italy • Launched 2019 Free
Italian hyperspectral mission with 240 contiguous spectral bands. Excellent for mineral and vegetation species mapping.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Register at prisma.asi.it
- Submit data request
- Free for research use
- Download L1/L2 products in HE5 format
DESIS (ISS) Active
DLR / Teledyne • 🇩🇪 Germany • Launched 2018 Freemium
DLR Earth Sensing Imaging Spectrometer on ISS. High spectral resolution in VNIR range.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Access DLR EOC Portal
- Register for research access
- Commercial via Teledyne
EnMAP Active
DLR • 🇩🇪 Germany • Launched 2022 Free
Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program. Full VNIR+SWIR hyperspectral coverage for environmental research.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Register at enmap.org
- Submit Cat-1 proposal for research
- Free data access upon approval
- L1B-L2A products available
GaoFen Series Active
CNSA • 🇨🇳 China • Launched 2013 Restricted
China's high-resolution Earth observation system. Over 20 satellites covering optical, SAR, and hyperspectral.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Access CRESDA portal
- Some data available for international research
- Contact CRESDA for access
- Limited open data through bilateral agreements
KOMPSAT-3/3A Active
KARI • 🇰🇷 South Korea • Launched 2012 Commercial
Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite providing sub-meter optical and thermal infrared imagery.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Contact SI Imaging Services
- Or access through distributors
- Academic programs available
Cartosat-3 / EOS-04 Active
ISRO • 🇮🇳 India • Launched 2019 Restricted
India's highest-resolution civilian satellite at 25cm. Used for cartography and infrastructure planning.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Access NRSC Bhuvan portal
- Some products free for Indian users
- International users contact ANTRIX/NSIL
- EOS-04 SAR data also available
ResourceSat-2A Active
ISRO • 🇮🇳 India • Launched 2016 Freemium
Indian remote sensing satellite for resource monitoring. AWiFS provides wide-swath agricultural mapping.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Register at Bhuvan portal
- Search ResourceSat products
- Free for Indian users, restricted internationally
- Contact ANTRIX for commercial access
CBERS-4A Active
INPE / CNSA • 🇧🇷🇨🇳 Brazil/China • Launched 2019 Free
China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite. Free imagery for South America and Africa.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Access INPE image catalog
- Register for free account
- Search by region and date
- Download GeoTIFF products
SuperView Neo Active
SIWEI / Beijing Space View • 🇨🇳 China • Launched 2022 Commercial
China's sub-meter commercial constellation. Among the highest resolution civilian satellites.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Contact SpaceView for pricing
- Access via distributor network
- Archive and tasking available
DMC3 / TripleSat Active
SSTL / 21AT • 🇬🇧 UK • Launched 2015 Commercial
Three-satellite constellation providing daily sub-meter coverage. Excellent rapid revisit.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Contact 21AT for access
- Archive and tasking options
- Distributor network worldwide
Deimos-2 Active
Urthecast / UrthePlatform • 🇪🇸 Spain • Launched 2014 Commercial
Sub-meter Spanish commercial satellite with rapid tasking and agile pointing.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Contact Urthecast
- Access archive or new tasking
- API integration available
COSMO-SkyMed SG Active
ASI / e-GEOS • 🇮🇹 Italy • Launched 2019 Commercial
Italian 4-satellite SAR constellation providing rapid-revisit X-band imagery. Second generation with enhanced capabilities.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Contact e-GEOS for ordering
- Open data for Italian research
- Commercial via distributor network
- Near real-time for emergencies
TerraSAR-X / PAZ Active
DLR / Airbus • 🇩🇪🇪🇸 Germany/Spain • Launched 2007 Commercial
High-resolution German X-band SAR. PAZ (Spain) extends constellation for faster revisit.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Commercial via Airbus
- Research proposals to DLR
- Science service for academic use
- Archive and new tasking available
SAOCOM-1A/1B Active
CONAE • 🇦🇷 Argentina • Launched 2018 Freemium
Argentine L-band SAR constellation. Excellent for soil moisture and crop monitoring in agricultural regions.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Register at CONAE catalog
- Free for research in South America
- Request data via proposal
- L-band penetrates vegetation
INSAT-3D/3DR Active
ISRO • 🇮🇳 India • Launched 2013 Free
Indian geostationary weather satellite. Key for Indian Ocean and South Asian weather monitoring.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Register at MOSDAC portal
- Browse INSAT-3D products
- Download radiance and derived products
- Real-time imagery available
FY-4A/4B Active
CMA • 🇨🇳 China • Launched 2016 Free
Chinese geostationary weather satellite with advanced atmospheric sounding capabilities.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Access NSMC data portal
- Register for free account
- Download via FTP or web
- Real-time via CMACast
CryoSat-2 Active
ESA • 🇪🇺 EU • Launched 2010 Free
Dedicated ice mission measuring ice sheet thickness, sea ice freeboard, and coastal sea level.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Access ESA Earth Online
- Register for free account
- Download L1B/L2 products
- Also available via CPOM portal
SMAP Active
NASA / JPL • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 2015 Free
Soil Moisture Active Passive mission. Global soil moisture at ~9km resolution. Critical for agriculture and drought.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Access NSIDC DAAC
- Search SMAP products (SPL3SMP, SPL4SMGP)
- Download HDF5 files
- GEE: ee.ImageCollection("NASA/SMAP/SPL4SMGP/007")
OCM-3 (EOS-06) Active
ISRO • 🇮🇳 India • Launched 2022 Free
Indian ocean color satellite with scatterometer for ocean wind and color measurements.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Register at MOSDAC
- Search EOS-06/OCM-3 products
- Download ocean color & wind data
SWOT Active
NASA / CNES • 🇺🇸🇫🇷 USA/France • Launched 2022 Free
Surface Water and Ocean Topography — revolutionary wide-swath altimetry for rivers, lakes, and ocean mesoscale.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Access NASA PO.DAAC
- Search SWOT products
- Download hydrology or oceanography data
- Data becoming available in 2024-2025
HysIS Active
ISRO • 🇮🇳 India • Launched 2018 Restricted
Indian hyperspectral imaging satellite covering 400-2500nm. Over 300 spectral channels.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Contact NRSC for data access
- Available for Indian research
- International access via ANTRIX
EMIT (ISS) Active
NASA / JPL • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 2022 Free
Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation. Maps mineral composition of arid regions + methane plumes.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Access NASA LP DAAC
- Search EMIT products
- Download mineral and methane data
- Also detects methane point sources
Jilin-1 Constellation Active
Chang Guang Satellite • 🇨🇳 China • Launched 2015 Commercial
100+ satellite constellation for high-resolution imagery and video. One of the largest commercial constellations.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Access jl1.cn platform
- Commercial purchase required
- Archive and new tasking
- Video and still imagery
BlackSky Active
BlackSky Technology • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 2018 Commercial
Real-time intelligence constellation with AI analytics. Dawn-to-dusk imaging for rapid monitoring.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Access Spectra AI platform
- Commercial subscription or per-image
- API integration available
- Near real-time delivery
Landsat 7 Active
NASA / USGS • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 1999 Free
Long-running Landsat mission with Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus. SLC-off since 2003 but still valuable for time-series.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- USGS EarthExplorer
- Landsat 7 ETM+ Collection 2
- Note SLC-off gap-filling needed post-2003
- GEE: ee.ImageCollection("LANDSAT/LE07/C02/T1_L2")
Landsat 5 Decommissioned
NASA / USGS • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 1984 Free
Guinness World Record holder for longest-operating Earth observation satellite (1984-2013). Archive invaluable for 30-year change detection.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- USGS EarthExplorer
- Landsat 5 TM Collection 2
- Archive 1984-2012
- GEE: ee.ImageCollection("LANDSAT/LT05/C02/T1_L2")
RapidEye Decommissioned
Planet Labs (BlackBridge) • 🇩🇪 Germany • Launched 2008 Commercial
Five-satellite constellation with unique Red Edge band for vegetation analysis. Archive available through Planet.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Planet Explorer
- Academic access available
- Archive data 2009-2020
- Red Edge band valuable for crop health
Sentinel-2C Active
ESA / Copernicus • 🇪🇺 EU • Launched 2024 Free
Third satellite in Sentinel-2 series, replacing Sentinel-2A. Continues high-quality free 10m multispectral data.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Copernicus Browser
- Same processing as S2A/S2B
- L2A BOA products
- GEE integration
Amazonia-1 Active
INPE • 🇧🇷 Brazil • Launched 2021 Free
Brazil's first fully domestically built satellite for Amazon rainforest monitoring and deforestation alert system.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- INPE image catalog
- Free registration
- WFI imagery download
- Used in DETER deforestation alerts
KazEOSat-1/2 Active
Kazcosmos • 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan • Launched 2014 Restricted
Kazakhstan national EO satellites built by Airbus. Used for agricultural monitoring of Central Asian steppes.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Contact Kazcosmos
- Limited international access
- Agricultural monitoring focus
THEOS-2 Active
GISTDA • 🇹🇭 Thailand • Launched 2023 Restricted
Thailand's high-resolution satellite for disaster management and agricultural monitoring in Southeast Asia.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Contact GISTDA
- Available for ASEAN region research
- Thai government priority use
Planet Dove Classic Active
Planet Labs • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 2013 Commercial
Original Planet CubeSat constellation — over 150 satellites providing daily global coverage at 3-5m resolution.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Planet Explorer
- NICFI tropical forest free access
- Education/research programs
- API for bulk download
WorldView Legion Active
Maxar Technologies • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 2024 Commercial
Next-generation Maxar constellation with unprecedented revisit rates. Sub-30cm resolution with 15-minute revisit for priority areas.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Contact Maxar
- SecureWatch platform
- Academic program available
ALSAT-2B Active
ASAL • 🇩🇿 Algeria • Launched 2016 Restricted
Algerian Earth observation satellite for environmental monitoring and urban planning across North Africa.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Contact ASAL Algeria
- Limited to North African projects
- Bilateral agreements
RCM SAR (RADARSAT-CM) Active
CSA • 🇨🇦 Canada • Launched 2019 Restricted
Three-satellite constellation for maritime surveillance, Arctic monitoring, and disaster management.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- EODMS portal
- Government priority access
- Research agreements available
- Compact polarimetry mode unique
PAZ Active
INTA / Hisdesat • 🇪🇸 Spain • Launched 2018 Commercial
Spanish defense SAR satellite forming tandem with TerraSAR-X for enhanced revisit and along-track interferometry.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Contact Hisdesat
- Spanish government priority
- Commercial distribution
Umbra SAR Active
Umbra • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 2022 Commercial
World's highest-resolution commercial SAR at 16cm. Open data program provides free sample imagery.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Umbra Canopy platform
- Open data program (free samples)
- Commercial API
- AWS Open Data
ROSE-L (Sentinel expansion) Planned
ESA • 🇪🇺 EU • Launched 2028 Free
Copernicus expansion mission with L-band SAR for forest biomass, soil moisture, and subsidence monitoring.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Expected launch 2028
- Will be free via Copernicus
- L-band penetrates vegetation
- Complement to Sentinel-1 C-band
MetOp-C Active
EUMETSAT • 🇪🇺 EU • Launched 2018 Free
European polar-orbiting weather satellite series. IASI provides exceptional atmospheric sounding with 8461 spectral channels.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- EUMETSAT Data Store
- Free registration
- AVHRR, IASI, ASCAT products
- Level 1 and Level 2 data
FY-3E/3F Active
CMA • 🇨🇳 China • Launched 2021 Free
Chinese polar-orbiting weather satellite with unique dawn-dusk orbit for low-light measurements.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- NSMC portal
- Free registration
- FTP download available
- CMACast distribution
Elektro-L No.4 Active
Roscosmos • 🇷🇺 Russia • Launched 2023 Free
Russian geostationary meteorological satellite covering Indian Ocean and Eastern European/Asian regions.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- PLANETA portal
- Free imagery
- Limited data distribution internationally
GEO-KOMPSAT-2A Active
KMA / KARI • 🇰🇷 South Korea • Launched 2018 Free
Korean geostationary weather satellite (GK-2A) with Advanced Meteorological Imager. Covers Asia-Pacific.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- NMSC portal
- Free registration
- Real-time imagery
- FTP/API download
Copernicus DEM (GLO-30) Active
ESA / Airbus • 🇪🇺 EU • Launched 2021 Free
Free global 30m DEM derived from TanDEM-X WorldDEM. Highest quality freely available global DEM.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Copernicus Space Data Portal
- AWS Open Data: s3://copernicus-dem-30m
- OpenTopography
- GEE: ee.ImageCollection("COPERNICUS/DEM/GLO30")
ALOS World 3D (AW3D30) Active
JAXA • 🇯🇵 Japan • Launched 2014 Freemium
Global 30m DSM from ALOS PRISM stereo imagery. More accurate than SRTM in many regions, especially high-latitude areas.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- JAXA EORC portal
- 30m version free
- 5m version commercial
- GEE: ee.ImageCollection("JAXA/ALOS/AW3D30/V3_2")
NASADEM Active
NASA • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 2020 Free
Reprocessed SRTM data with improved void filling, accuracy, and consistency. Replaces SRTM for most applications.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- NASA LP DAAC
- AppEEARS for subset
- GEE: ee.Image("NASA/NASADEM_HGT/001")
- Better than original SRTM
Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich Active
ESA / EUMETSAT / NASA • 🇪🇺🇺🇸 • Launched 2020 Free
Reference mission for sea level monitoring. Centimeter-accurate sea surface height continuing 30-year altimetry record.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- EUMETSAT Data Store
- AVISO+
- PO.DAAC
- Near real-time and validated products
PACE Active
NASA • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 2024 Free
Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem mission with hyperspectral ocean color imager. Revolutionary for marine science.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- NASA OB.DAAC
- Level 2 and Level 3 products
- SeaDAS processing software
- First data released 2024
BIOMASS Planned
ESA • 🇪🇺 EU • Launched 2025 Free
First P-band SAR in space. Penetrates entire forest canopy to measure above-ground biomass directly.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Expected launch 2025
- Free Copernicus data policy
- P-band unique for biomass
- Forest carbon stock measurement
GEDI (ISS) Active
NASA • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 2018 Free
Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation LiDAR on ISS. 3D structure of forests for biomass and habitat studies.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- NASA LP DAAC
- GEDI L2A/L2B products
- Use GEDI Finder tool
- GEE: ee.ImageCollection("LARSE/GEDI/GEDI02_A_002_MONTHLY")
FLEX (Fluorescence Explorer) Planned
ESA • 🇪🇺 EU • Launched 2025 Free
First satellite to map vegetation fluorescence — direct measurement of photosynthetic activity from space.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- Expected launch 2025
- Free data policy
- Tandem with Sentinel-3
- Revolutionary for vegetation stress
EarthCARE Active
ESA / JAXA • 🇪🇺🇯🇵 • Launched 2024 Free
Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer — 3D profiling of clouds and aerosols for climate modeling.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- ESA Earth Online
- JAXA G-Portal
- First data 2024-2025
- Cloud and aerosol profiles
DMSP-OLS Decommissioned
NOAA / US DoD • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 1976 Free
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program — historical nighttime lights archive from 1992-2013. Key for urbanization studies.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- NOAA EOG
- Annual stable lights composites
- Available 1992-2013
- GEE for analysis
VIIRS Day/Night Band Active
NASA / NOAA • 🇺🇸 USA • Launched 2011 Free
Successor to DMSP-OLS with much improved spatial resolution and calibration. Monthly and annual composites available.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- NOAA EOG
- Colorado School of Mines portal
- Monthly/annual composites
- GEE: ee.ImageCollection("NOAA/VIIRS/DNB/MONTHLY_V1/VCMSLCFG")
GOCE Decommissioned
ESA • 🇪🇺 EU • Launched 2009 Free
Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer. Produced the most accurate geoid model ever.
Sensors
Key Applications
How to Access / Download
- ESA GOCE portal
- Download gravity models
- Geoid height products
- Used for GNSS height conversion
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