Paper
25 September 2018 Leverage your science data return by flying with the International Earth Science Constellation (ESC)
Michael J. Machado, William J. Guit, Warren F. Case
Author Affiliations +
Abstract
Constellations have proven to be an effective and efficient way to acquire earth science data. By flying together, sensors on all satellites in a constellation take measurements of the same air, water, or land mass at essentially the same time. The sensors form a single “virtual satellite”. The key to making a constellation effective and efficient is keeping the operations as independent as possible in order to minimize the operational burden and costs. The Earth Science Constellation (ESC) has been successful on all counts and continues to welcome new missions to continue its 18+ year record of coincidental earth science observations. The ESC also serves as a model for future constellation designs. This paper describes the ESC and its evolution from its initial launches in 1999 through the present and how new missions might benefit from joining the ESC.
© (2018) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Michael J. Machado, William J. Guit, and Warren F. Case "Leverage your science data return by flying with the International Earth Science Constellation (ESC)", Proc. SPIE 10785, Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XXII, 107850A (25 September 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2503698
Advertisement
Advertisement
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission  Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace
KEYWORDS
Satellites

Earth observing sensors

Landsat

Space operations

Earth sciences

Safety

Sensors

RELATED CONTENT


Back to Top