Infrastructure
Earth Observation/Remote Sensing Satellites
2012 – Earth Observation and Remote Sensing Overview
Satellites can also carry advanced payloads that can observe, measure, and produce valuable scientific data regarding land, sea, and air. Such satellites can provide detailed images of the Earth and collect a wide variety of measurements from space, such as ocean temperature, vegetation coverage, or pollution levels. These remote sensing satellites have civil, scientific, and military applications, such as providing aerial views on Google Earth, forecasting potential hurricane paths, or tracking enemy movements on a battlefield.
2012 – Remote Sensing Ground Networks
Ground facilities support space infrastructure by controlling spacecraft or processing the data that satellites gather and send to Earth. Remote sensing satellites orbit the Earth, gathering data that then needs to be archived, processed, and analyzed while the satellites themselves need to be tasked and targeted to collect imagery in the most efficient manner possible. To perform these tasks, commercial remote sensing satellite operators have established networks of satellite control stations, data reception stations, and data processing centers.
Infrastructure: Space Infrastructure – TSR 2012
2011 – Military Reconnaissance – Snapshot
The German Federal Armed Forces operate a ##-satellite LEO fleet called SAR-Lupe, which provides radar imagery with one-meter (3-foot) resolution for surveillance purposes.
2011 – Meteorology – Snapshot
Funding is a serious concern for government-supported remote sensing satellite endeavors. Europe’s Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) program is facing difficulties because of the global economic climate, which is forcing many space programs around the world to cut costs. In November 2011, the European Commission (EC) proposed moving funding for operating the GMES space segment from the 27-member commission to the individual EU member states.
2011- Land Imaging – Snapshot
Two major players in satellite-based Earth imagery are U.S. companies DigitalGlobe and GeoEye. Both companies provide imagery to widely used applications such as Google Earth. In August 2010, the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) awarded 10-year contracts to the companies, valued at $## billion for GeoEye and $## billion for DigitalGlobe, under the agency’s EnhancedView procurement. The NGA specializes in mapping and imagery intelligence, and played a key role in the raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound in May 2011 by providing satellite imagery, geospatial and targeting analysis, and modeling support to plan the successful mission.
Infrastructure: Space Infrastructure – TSR 2011
2010 – Military Reconnaissance – Snapshot
In June 2010, Israel launched the OFEQ-9 reconnaissance satellite which joined ## others already in operation. China’s utilization of space for military purposes is even harder to gauge due to the country’s lack of transparency in its space programs. In 2010, the country launched ## Yaogan satellites with the stated purpose of engaging in scientific experiments, land survey, crop yield assessment, and disaster monitoring. Many space analysts believe that the true mission of these satellites is for reconnaissance or other military purposes.
2010 – Meteorology – Snapshot
Concerns about global climate change have led to the use of remote sensing satellites to measure the potential impact of humans on the environment. NASA employs more than a dozen Earth science spacecraft measuring a variety of environmental factors, including sea level, the amount of aerosols in the atmosphere, and changes in the size of the Earth’s ice sheets. The United States and Taiwan have partnered to develop the six-satellite FORMOSAT fleet, used to collect atmospheric data for weather prediction and for ionosphere, climate, and gravity research.
2010 – Land Imaging (GIS) – Snapshot
Two major U.S. commercial providers of satellite-based Earth imagery are DigitalGlobe and GeoEye. Both companies provide imagery for widely used applications such as Google Earth. In August 2010, the companies were awarded separate 10-year, $## billion contracts from the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency under that agency’s EnhancedView procurement. These contracts make it possible for both companies to finish procurement and launch of new advanced satellites capable of discerning objects on the Earth’s surface as small as 25 centimeters (9.75 inches) in size.