with Terra
Mission
Overview
Terra (launched Dec 18, 1999) is NASA's long-running Earth-observing flagship. With five instruments — MODIS, ASTER, MOPITT, MISR, and CERES — Terra has produced multi-decadal data records used to map fires, measure atmospheric pollution, monitor Earth's energy budget, and reveal urban and land-surface change.
The mission's archive exceeds 6 PB and continues to deliver vital science more than 25 years after launch.
Mission Statistics
Years Active
Data Archive
Daily Orbits
Instruments
Mission Timeline
Terra launched 18 Dec 1999
Start of routine science operations
Data archive grows to petabytes
Fuel limitations — orbit drift begins
Terra still operating and serving data
Mission Details
Operational Notes: Designed for ~6 years; operating 25+ years. Orbit drift and fuel constraints since ~2020.
Interactive Model
Preparing 3D model...
Interactive Terra satellite model - drag to rotate, scroll to zoom
Terra Satellite
Key Stats
Terra's Instruments
Explore Terra's five scientific instruments as they orbit Earth, each providing unique perspectives on our planet's climate, atmosphere, and surface changes.
MOPITT – Air Pollution Tracking
MOPITT (from Canada) measured carbon monoxide in the lower atmosphere for 25 years, creating the first continuous global CO record and tracking wildfire smoke and industrial emissions.
CERES – Earth's Energy Balance
CERES radiometers measure Earth's radiation budget – how much sunlight is absorbed versus how much heat is emitted – providing vital data for climate models.
MODIS – Daily Global Imaging
MODIS captures global images twice daily in 36 spectral bands, monitoring clouds, land, oceans, ice, and active fires at resolutions from 250 m to 1 km.
ASTER – High-Resolution Imaging
ASTER (from Japan) provides high-resolution visible to thermal infrared images, serving as Terra’s ‘zoom lens’ for detailed views of volcanoes, cities, and land changes.
MISR – Multi-Angle Observations
MISR’s 9 cameras view Earth from different angles, allowing 3D studies of clouds, aerosols, storms, and surface features like vegetation and megacities.