Featured Terra Image

Fifteen Years of Terra

Fifteen year ago on December 18th, Terra was launched and started to see Earth for the
first time. As the Flagship Earth Observing Satellite, Terra was the first satellite to look at
Earth system science, collecting multiple types of data dedicated to various areas of
Earth science. It joined other satellites designed to monitor specific areas of Earth science
and has since been joined by others that all work in concert to collect data that leads to a
better understanding of how our planet functions as a whole.
Since Terras launch, scientists are able to document relationships between Earths
systems and examine their connections. Through every pass that Terra makes and every
piece of data it and the other Earth Observing Satellites collect, the picture of our earth
gets richer, revealing trends and connections for the entire earth, impacting all of Earths
inhabitants.
The images above are the first images captured by each of Terras five instruments in
2000, shortly after Terras launch.

ASTER: Afar Triangle in the Eritrea/Red Sea

MOPITT: Channel 1 Difference Radiances of Global Swath

MISR: James Bay, Ontario, Canada

CERES: Global Solar Flux and Emitted Terrestrial Flux

MODIS: Mississippi River Delta

These images were the first attempts to tell the story of Earths systems. With every pass
of Terra the story becomes richer with data.
Terras original design life was 6 years, after 15 years in orbit, Terra has been collecting
valuable data about our planet for two and a half times its planned lifetime. This is due in
no small part to the dedicated scientists and engineers who built, launched, and continue
to maintain this valuable spacecraft that has surpassed its original mission objectives and
continues to make outstanding contributions to Earth science.

Congratulations Terra and all of those who continue to support this exceptional mission.
Happy fifteenth anniversary!
To learn more about some of Terra and the other EOS missions contributions, read the
new NASA feature story, Earth From Space: 15 Amazing Things in 15 Years

Terra: the EOS Flagship

Terra explores the connections between Earth's atmosphere, land, snow and ice, ocean,
and energy balance to understand Earth's climate and climate change and to map the
impact of human activity and natural disasters on communities and ecosystems.

Terra Instruments

Terra collects data about the Earths bio-geochemical and energy systems using five
sensors that observe the atmosphere, land surface, oceans, snow and ice, and energy
budget. Each sensor has unique features that enable scientists to meet a wide range of
science objectives. The five Terra onboard sensors are:
ASTER, or Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer

CERES, or Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System

MISR, or Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer

MODIS, or Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer

MOPITT, or Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere

Because Terra's five sensors share a platform, they collect complementary observations
of Earth's surface and atmosphere. These varying perspectives of the same event can
yield unique insights into the processes that connect Earth's systems.