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In orbit since 1999, Terra is one of NASA's longest-running satellite missions. Its five instruments collect an array of Earth observation data that helps researchers explore and understand the interconnected systems that govern Earth's climate, and how changes to these systems affect the health of the planet.
Type
Earth Observation Satellite
Data Center
ASDC
LP DAAC
NSIDC DAAC
LAADS DAAC
Launch
December 18, 1999
Objective
Monitoring interactions between land, atmosphere, oceans, and biology
Instruments Aboard Terra
| Instrument Name | Operational Date(s) | Spectral Resolution | Type of Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) |
|
Spectrometers/Radiometers | |
| Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) | 0.3-5 µm (SW), 0.3-200 µm (TOT) and 8-12 µm (WN) channels |
Spectrometers/Radiometers | |
| Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System Flight Model 1 (CERES FM1) | 0.3-5 µm (SW), 0.3-200 µm (TOT) and 8-12 µm (WN) channels |
Spectrometers/Radiometers | |
| Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System Flight Model 2 (CERES FM2) | 0.3-5 µm (SW), 0.3-200 µm (TOT) and 8-12 µm (WN) channels |
Spectrometers/Radiometers | |
| Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System Prototype Flight Model (CERES PFM) | Spectrometers/Radiometers | ||
| Measurements of Pollution In The Troposphere (MOPITT) | near-infrared radiation at 2.3 µm and thermal-infrared radiation at 4.7 µm |
Profilers/Sounders | |
| Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) | 36 spectral bands ranging in wavelength from 0.4 µm to 14.4 µm |
Spectrometers/Radiometers | |
| Multi-Angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) | Four spectral bands: blue, green, red, and near-infrared. The center wavelength of each of these bands is 446, 558, 672, and 867 nanometers respectively. |
Spectrometers/Radiometers |
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