h i ssection provides background inform a -
tion about environmental satellites,
covering types of satellites, hard w a re
specifications, and the kinds of informa-
tion they obtain. It concludes with
review or test materials.
U.S. geostationary and polar-orbiting
satellites are discussed in some detail,
supplemented with information about
other nations’ satellites. Note that the
descriptions of the satellites and sensors
are accurate at printing, but they are a
taken during a continuing
process of enhancement.
It should become obvious that there is a
continuing need for international coop-
eration in using satellites—not only to
study atmospheric conditions and pro-
vide warning of hazardous conditions,
but also to study Earth as a whole.
Remote sensing, the acquiring of data
and information about an object or
phenomena by a device that is not in
physical contact with it, plays a critical
role in the use of environmental satel-
lites. A variety of sophisticated remote-
sensing instruments onboard satellites
gather regional and global measure m e n t s
of Earth. That information describes cur-
rent conditions, allows us to predict
severe weather, and monitor long-term
change in the system (such as climate or
ocean temperature). Such k n o w l e d g e
enables effective global policy-making
and resource management.
Understanding the electro m a g n e t i c
s p e c t rum will help with understanding
how satellite sensors and other re m o t e -
sensing tools work.
EN V I R O N M E N TA L SAT E L L I T E S
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