In Formulation

EDGE

The EDGE (Earth Dynamics Geodetic Explorer) mission will observe the three-dimensional structure of terrestrial ecosystems and the surface topography of glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice.  [Planned Launch for 2030]

FALCON-Lidar

The FALCON (Fleet for the Atmosphere Linking Commercial Observations with NASA)-Lidar  will fly NASA-developed lidar instruments to study cloud optical depth, cloud top height, cloud phase (ice or water), aerosol optical depth, plume height and thickness. [Planned Launch for 2029]

STRIVE

STRIVE (Stratosphere Troposphere Response using Infrared Vertically-resolved light Explorer) is a next-generation satellite mission that delivers the high-resolution global observations urgently needed to improve predictions of weather patterns, extreme events, air quality, and the future of the ozone layer. STRIVE captures over 400,000 daily profiles of atmospheric composition and temperature with fine vertical and horizontal resolution—providing 2–4 orders of magnitude more profiles than current missions. [Planned Launch for 2030]

PMM

The Precipitation Measuring Mission (PMM) will help to reveal the dynamic nature of the sky, resulting in better predictions of extreme weather and air quality and better long-term prediction of our changing climate. [Planned Launch for 2030]

Landsat 10

The Landsat 10 mission recently received approval to enter Pre-Formulation. The mission will continue the longest continuous space-based record of the Earth’s surface. [Planned Launch for 2030]

Implementation

PolSIR

The Polarized Submillimeter Ice-cloud Radiometer (PolSIR) instrument will help humanity better understand Earth’s dynamic atmosphere and its impact on climate by studying ice clouds that form at high altitudes throughout tropical and sub-tropical regions. [Planned Launch for 2027]

TSIS-2

The Total and Solar spectral Irradiance Sensor-2 (TSIS-2) mission will provide total and spectral solar irradiance measurements important for accurate scientific models of climate change and solar variability. [Planned Launch for 2027]

OMPS-Limb

(JPSS Instrument) The Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS)-Limb profiler joins two other spectrometers in the Suite to track the health of the ozone layer and measure the concentration of ozone in the Earth’s atmosphere. [Planned launch for 2027]

Primary Operations

CLARREO-Pathfinder

(ISS Instrument)The Calbiration Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO) Pathfinder is a reflected solar spectrometer and associated pointing system that will measure the absolute spectrally resolved reflectance of solar radiation from Earth to space to a much higher accuracy than past satellite sensors.  [Primary Operations until TBA]

PACE

The Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission , launched in 2024, will advance the assessment of ocean health by measuring the distribution of phytoplankton, tiny plants and algae that sustain the marine food web. It will also continue systematic records of key atmospheric variables associated with air quality and Earth’s climate.  [Primary Operations until TBA]

Landsat 9

Landsat 9, a partnership between NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), will continue the Landsat program’s critical role in providing the longest continuous space-based record of the Earth’s surface. [Primary Operations until TBA]

Extended Operations

SAGE III

(ISS Instrument) The SAGE III The Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE)-III mission is an important part of NASA’s Earth Observation System and is designed to fulfill the primary scientific objective of obtaining high quality, global measurements of key components of atmospheric composition and their long-term variability. [Extended Operations until TBD]

POES (NOAA)

POES is a NOAA reimbursable project, providing critical operational climate data that is used in developing current and extended weather forecasts.  [NOAA-18 decommissioned on June 6, 2025; NOAA-19 decommissioned on Aug 13, 2025; NOAA-15 decommissioned on Aug 19, 2025]

MetOp (EUMETSAT)

The MetOp satellites provides critical data for weather forecasting. MetOp-C.    [Extended Operations until 2032, TBC]

SNPP (NOAA)

The Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) provides atmospheric and sea surface temperatures, humidity sounding, land and ocean biological productivity, and cloud and aerosol properties.  [Extended Operations until October 2026]

Landsat 8 (USGS)

The Landsat program provides the longest continuous space-based record of Earth’s land in existence.  [Extended Operations until TBD]

ICESat-2

The Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) , utilizes lasers and a very precise detection instrument to measure the elevation of Earth’s surface. [Extended Operations until October 2026]

TSIS-1

(ISS Instrument) The TSIS mission provides absolute measurements of the total solar irradiance (TSI) and spectral solar irradiance (SSI), important for accurate scientific models of climate change and solar variability. [Extended Operations until October 2026]

NISTAR, EPIC (DSCOVR/NOAA)

The National Institute of Standards and Technology Advanced Radiometer (NISTAR) measures the absolute irradiance over a broad spectrum of the entire sunlit face of Earth to study the Earth’s radiation budget. The Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) provides global spectral images of the entire sunlit face of Earth and insight into Earth’s energy balance. [Extended Operations through 9/2020]

LIS

(ISS Instrument) The Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS), is a space-based instrument used to detect the distribution and variability of total lightning (cloud-to-cloud, intra-cloud, and cloud-to-ground lightning). [Extended Operations through 9/2020]

GPM

The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission is a joint NASA/JAXA mission producing next-generation global observations of rain and snow  [Extended Operations until October 2026]

Terra

Terra is apart of the A-train, NASA’s original Earth Observing System. It continuously maps Earth’s land surface.  [Extended Operations until April 2027]

Aqua (USGS)

Aqua is apart of the A-train, NASA’s original Earth Observing System. It collects data regarding the Earth’s water cycle.  [Extended Operations until November 2026]

Aura

Aura is apart of the A-train, NASA’s original Earth Observing System. It researches composition, chemistry, and dynamics of Earth’s atmosphere as well as the ozone, air quality, and climate.  [Extended Operations until October 2026]