AN ERA OF EARTH OBSERVATIONS: LOOKING BACK AT 50 YEARS Source: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/MediaAlerts/2007/2007110925922.html Since the launch of Sputnik I in 1957, thousands of satellites have been sent into space on missions to collect data about the Earth. Today, the ability to forecast weather, climate, and natural hazards depends critically on these satellite-based observations. Satellites have revolutionized how humans view and understand the home planet, helped address fundamental scientific questions, and enabled a plethora of applications with important societal benefits. Continued Earth observations from space will be required to address scientific and societal challenges of the future.Where will a developing hurricane make landfall? What is the status of the ozone layer? How much will sea level rise? No other single measurement platform has revolutionized the ability to address these and other fundamental Earth science questions as much as satellites orbiting
