Sources of Satellite Data

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Sources of Satellite Data

As remote sensing is used in an increasing number of applications, sources for satellite imagery have also increased. Data is available from both public agencies and private companies.

Typically, images from government-supported satellites such as LANDSAT or SPOT are distributed through a government agency or a private company that has established marketing rights to the data. More recently, private companies have begun launching their own satellites. Often several international organizations distribute data from the same satellite, and distributors commonly offer various enhancements for an additional fee.

Public Agencies

WisconsinView WisconsinView is an on-line archive of satellite imagery that offers LANDSAT and MODIS images of Wisconsin.

EarthExplorer EarthExplorer is an on-line database where you can search for and purchase USGS land information products. Their Satellite Imagery catalog includes NOAA, LANDSAT, and SPOT data sets.

Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP) As part of NASA's Earth Science Enterprise, the ESIP collects and distributes remote sensing data and information on the technology. This page lists the Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAAC's) which each specialize in a certain domain of remote sensing. Links to these DAAC's and descriptions of their missions are given.

Earth Observing System (EOS) The EOS is also part of NASA's Earth Science Enterprise. Their web site offers a library of example data sets that can be viewed directly as well as descriptive links to other data resources.

Earth Observation Research Center (EORC) The EORC is part of Japan's National Space Development Agency (NASDA). Their library includes data sets from ADEOS, JERS, and MOS, some of which can be viewed in their Data Gallery. The data sets are available by FTP and on CD-ROM.

Earth Observation Center (EOC) Also part of NASDA, the EOC offers a data from ADEOS, JERS, LANDSAT, and MOS on CD-ROM or tape. They also host an on-line image catalog in which visitors can search using either an interactive map, or typical database queries.

Canadian Earth Observation Network (CEONet) CEONet is a service of Canada Centre for Remote Sensing and catalogs metadata from LANDSAT, SPOT, NOAA, SEASAT, ERS, and RADARSAT. The site offers direct links to the distributors of specific data collections. Some of the images can be viewed on-line. Because CEONet is very large, it is strongly suggested that you consult their User's Guide before searching.

Private Companies

Space Imaging Space Imaging has marketing rights to a constellation of remote sensing satellites including LANDSAT, IRS, RADARSAT, and ERS. The company also launched its own IKONOS satellite in 1999. Soon their products will be available for on-line purchase.

SPOT Image The French company SPOT Image offers ERS and RADARSAT data in addition to SPOT data. Their web site contains an on-line metadata catalog.

Orbital Imaging Corporation (ORBIMAGE) Orbital Imaging owns two functioning satellites (Orb View 1 and 2) and plans to launch two more in 2001. They support two on-line catalogs. One offers one-meter resolution panchromatic images of several North American cities, and the other offers multispectral images from Orb View 2.

EarthWatch Incorporated After losing contact with their first satellite (EarlyBird), EarthWatch is expected to launch its 0.5-meter resolution QuickBird 2 satellite by the end of 2001.

RADARSAT International The Canadian company RADARSAT International is a distributor of RADARSAT, IRS, ERS, LANDSAT, and SPOT data. Their on-line Storefront gives a good overview of available and upcoming products.

TerraServer The TerraServer image catalog is the cooperative effort by one Russian and two American companies to market the data from SPIN-2. All data can be viewed, and prints of the images can be purchased on-line.

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WisconsinView	WisconsinView is an on-line archive of satellite imagery that offers LANDSAT and MODIS images of Wisconsin.
EarthExplorer	EarthExplorer is an on-line database where you can search for and purchase USGS land information products. Their Satellite Imagery catalog includes NOAA, LANDSAT, and SPOT data sets.
Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP)	As part of NASA's Earth Science Enterprise, the ESIP collects and distributes remote sensing data and information on the technology. This page lists the Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAAC's) which each specialize in a certain domain of remote sensing. Links to these DAAC's and descriptions of their missions are given.
Earth Observing System (EOS)	The EOS is also part of NASA's Earth Science Enterprise. Their web site offers a library of example data sets that can be viewed directly as well as descriptive links to other data resources.
Earth Observation Research Center (EORC)	The EORC is part of Japan's National Space Development Agency (NASDA). Their library includes data sets from ADEOS, JERS, and MOS, some of which can be viewed in their Data Gallery. The data sets are available by FTP and on CD-ROM.
Earth Observation Center (EOC)	Also part of NASDA, the EOC offers a data from ADEOS, JERS, LANDSAT, and MOS on CD-ROM or tape. They also host an on-line image catalog in which visitors can search using either an interactive map, or typical database queries.
Canadian Earth Observation Network (CEONet)	CEONet is a service of Canada Centre for Remote Sensing and catalogs metadata from LANDSAT, SPOT, NOAA, SEASAT, ERS, and RADARSAT. The site offers direct links to the distributors of specific data collections. Some of the images can be viewed on-line. Because CEONet is very large, it is strongly suggested that you consult their User's Guide before searching.

Space Imaging	Space Imaging has marketing rights to a constellation of remote sensing satellites including LANDSAT, IRS, RADARSAT, and ERS. The company also launched its own IKONOS satellite in 1999. Soon their products will be available for on-line purchase.
SPOT Image	The French company SPOT Image offers ERS and RADARSAT data in addition to SPOT data. Their web site contains an on-line metadata catalog.
Orbital Imaging Corporation (ORBIMAGE)	Orbital Imaging owns two functioning satellites (Orb View 1 and 2) and plans to launch two more in 2001. They support two on-line catalogs. One offers one-meter resolution panchromatic images of several North American cities, and the other offers multispectral images from Orb View 2.
EarthWatch Incorporated	After losing contact with their first satellite (EarlyBird), EarthWatch is expected to launch its 0.5-meter resolution QuickBird 2 satellite by the end of 2001.
RADARSAT International	The Canadian company RADARSAT International is a distributor of RADARSAT, IRS, ERS, LANDSAT, and SPOT data. Their on-line Storefront gives a good overview of available and upcoming products.
TerraServer	The TerraServer image catalog is the cooperative effort by one Russian and two American companies to market the data from SPIN-2. All data can be viewed, and prints of the images can be purchased on-line.