Observation of the Earth and its Environment

The following listing represents a survey and a short description of 'Earth Observing Mis- sions' in alphabetical order. The listing in Part A considers completed-, operational-as well as planned missions on an international scale (Earth observations from space know no na- tional boundaries). A look into past activities is important for reasons of heritage, context and of perspective. The document is intended for all who want to keep track of missions and sensors in the fast -growing field of Earth observations. There cannot be any claim to com- pleteness, although a considerable effort was made to collect and integrate all known mis- sions and sensors into this book. Earth observation by remote sensing changes our view and perception of the world. We be- gin to realize the global character of remote sensing, its multidimensional and complemen- tary nature, its vast potential to many disciplines, its importance to mankind as a whole. Re- mote sensing permits for the first time in history a total system view of the Earth. The view from space toward Earth has brought about sweeping revisions in the Earth sciences, in par- ticular in such fields as meteorology, oceanology, hydrology, geology, geography, forestry, agriculture, geodynamics, solar-terrestrial interactions, and many others.