Current Missions
Current Missions
-
Launch Date: December 18, 1999
Designed to capture high-resolution images of Earth, the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer, or ASTER, instrument is one of five instruments aboard NASA's Terra satellite.ASTER
Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer
Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer -
Launch Date: April 3, 2013
The Airborne Snow Observatory is an Earth-based mission designed to collect data on the snow melt flowing out of major water basins in the western United States.
ASO
Airborne Snow Observatory
Airborne Snow Observatory -
Launch Date: 2012
AVIRIS-NG is an acronym for the Airborne Visible InfraRed Imaging Spectrometer - Next Generation.
AVIRIS-NG
Airborne Visible-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer - Next Generation
Airborne Visible-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer - Next Generation -
Launch Date: 1986
AVIRIS is the first full spectral range imaging spectrometer and dedicated to Earth Remote Measurement.
AVIRIS
Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer
Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer -
Launch Date: May 4, 2002
The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder, or AIRS, instrument is a key tool for climate studies on greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide distribution, as well as weather forecasts.AIRS
Atmospheric Infrared Sounder
Atmospheric Infrared Sounder -
Launch Date: June 15, 2004
The Autonomous Sciencecraft Experiment is an experimental technology on the Earth Observer 1 spacecraft that can autonomously make decisions about what data to collect, process that data and send it back to Earth.ASE
Autonomous Sciencecraft Experiment
Autonomous Sciencecraft Experiment -
Launch Date: April 28, 2006
Part of NASA's fleet of weather- and climate-tracking satellites, CloudSat uses advanced radar to examine the inner structure of clouds, helping researchers better understand how severe tropical cyclones as well as climate changes related to clouds occur.Cloudsat
Cloudsat -
Launch Date: May 21, 2018
A facility designed to fly aboard the International Space Station, the Cold Atom Laboratory, or CAL, will make use the space station's unique microgravity environment to observe quantum phenomena that would otherwise be undetectable from Earth.CAL
Cold Atom Laboratory
Cold Atom Laboratory -
Launch Date: May 21, 2018
The main objective of the CubeRRT mission is to demonstrate the RFI mitigation technology on a flight-ready hardware in space, increasing the technology readiness level (TRL) from 6 to 7.
CubeRRT
CubeSat Radiometer Radio Frequency Interference Technology Validation Mission
CubeSat Radiometer Radio Frequency Interference Technology Validation Mission -
Launch Date: June 22, 2019
The Deep Space Atomic Clock, or DSAC, is a technology demonstration of a small, ultra-precise, mercury-ion atomic clock, which will be launched into Earth orbit to test its potential as a next-generation tool for spacecraft navigation, radio science and global positioning systems.DSAC
Deep Space Atomic Clock
Deep Space Atomic Clock -
Launch Date: December 3, 2015
The Disturbance Reduction System, or DRS, designed as part of the Space Technology 7 project, is an experimental system for measuring gravitational waves in space, which are thought to contain important data about the history of the universe.DRS
Disturbance Reduction System
Disturbance Reduction System -
Launch Date: June 18, 2009
An instrument flying aboard NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, the Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment is designed to measure surface temperatures on the moon, providing key information for future lunar surface operations and exploration.DLRE
Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment
Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment -
Launch Date: June 29, 2018
The ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS), will monitor one of the most basic processes in living plants: the loss of water through the tiny pores in leaves.
ECOSTRESS
ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station
ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station -
Launch Date: January 31, 2015
The GEO-CAPE ROIC In-Flight Performance Experiment (GRIFEX) is a 3U CubeSat that will perform engineering assessment of a JPL-developed all digital in-pixel high frame rate Read-Out Integrated Circuit (ROIC).GRIFEX
GEO-CAPE ROIC In-Flight Performance Experiment
GEO-CAPE ROIC In-Flight Performance Experiment -
Launch Date: May 22, 2018
The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-on (GRACE-FO) mission is a partnership between NASA and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ).GRACE-FO
Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On
Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On -
Launch Date: May 5, 2018
InSight, short for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, is a Mars lander designed to give the Red Planet its first thorough checkup since it formed 4 billion years ago.InSight
InSight -
Launch Date: November 10, 2017
The ISARA mission will demonstrate a high bandwidth Ka-band CubeSat communications capability that is ready for immediate infusion into commercial, government and military systems.
ISARA
Integrated Solar Array and Reflectarray Antenna
Integrated Solar Array and Reflectarray Antenna -
Launch Date: December 15, 2015
The Intelligent Payload Experiment (IPEX) is a 1U CubeSat developed by Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and JPL.
IPEX
Intelligent Payload Experiment
Intelligent Payload Experiment -
Launch Date: January 17, 2016
Extending the timeline of ocean surface topography measurements begun by the Topex/Poseidon and Jason-1 and-2 satellites, Jason-3 will make highly detailed measurements of sea-level on Earth to gain insight into ocean circulation and climate change.Jason-3
Jason-3 -
Launch Date: August 5, 2011
The Juno spacecraft, which successfully entered the orbit of Jupiter on July 4, 2016, will for the first time peer below the dense cover of clouds to answer questions about the gas giant and the origins of our solar system.Juno
Juno -
Launch Date: December 6, 2010
The Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer, or LBTI, is a ground-based instrument connecting two 8-meter class telescopes on Mount Graham in Arizona to form the largest single-mount telescope in the world.LBTI
Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer
Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer -
Launch Date: December 5, 2013
M-Cubed/COVE is the Michigan Multipurpose Minisatellite (M-Cubed) carrying the CubeSat On-board processing Validation Experiment (COVE).
M-Cubed/COVE-2
M-Cubed/COVE-2 -
Launch Date: July 30, 2020
The Mars 2020 mission with its Perseverance rover is part of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, a long-term effort of robotic exploration of the Red Planet.Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover
Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover -
Launch Date: April 7, 2001
With more than 10 years in orbit and counting, the 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft has spent more time in orbit around the Red Planet, collecting data on Mars' climate and geology, than any other spacecraft in history.Mars Odyssey
Mars Odyssey -
Launch Date: August 12, 2005
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, or MRO, has studied the Red Planet's atmosphere and terrain from orbit since 2006 and also serves as a key data relay station for other Mars missions, including the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity.MRO
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter -
Launch Date: November 26, 2011
The Mars Science Laboratory mission's Curiosity rover, the most technologically advanced rover ever built, landed in Mars' Gale Crater the evening of August 5, 2012 PDT (morning of August 6 EDT) using a series of complicated landing maneuvers never before attempted.MSL
Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover
Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover -
Launch Date: March 2, 2004
Flying aboard the European Space Agency's Rosetta spacecraft, the NASA-built Microwave Instrument for the Rosetta Orbiter, or MIRO, is studying gases given off by comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko now that the spacecraft has successfully entered orbit around the object in August 2014.MIRO
Microwave Instrument for the Rosetta Orbiter
Microwave Instrument for the Rosetta Orbiter -
Launch Date: July 15, 2004
Making up one piece of the most advanced and accurate atmospheric chemistry laboratory ever deployed in space, the Microwave Limb Sounder, or MLS, instrument flies aboard NASA's Aura Earth satellite with three other instruments.MLS
Microwave Limb Sounder
Microwave Limb Sounder -
Launch Date: December 18, 1999
The Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer, or MISR, instrument is one of five instruments aboard NASA's Terra satellite, which is collecting important data on the causes and effects of global climate change.MISR
Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer
Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer -
Launch Date: December 14, 2009
The NEOWISE mission uses a space telescope to hunt for asteroids and comets, including those that could pose a threat to Earth.NEOWISE
NEOWISE
NEOWISE -
Launch Date: June 13, 2012
The Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, mission will study the universe in high energy X-rays to better understand the dynamics of black holes, exploding stars and the most extreme active galaxies.NuSTAR
Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array
Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array -
Launch Date: April 18, 2014
The Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science, or OPALS, is a technology demonstration aboard the International Space Station designed to test the use of focused laser energy for space communications.OPALS
Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science
Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science -
Launch Date: July 2, 2014
The Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2, or OCO-2, is an Earth satellite mission designed to study the sources and sinks of carbon dioxide globally and provide scientists with a better idea of how carbon is contributing to climate change.OCO-2
Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2
Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2 -
Launch Date: May 3, 2019
The Orbiting Carbon Observatory 3, or OCO-3, is a future space instrument designed to investigate important questions about the distribution of carbon dioxide on Earth as it relates to growing urban populations and changing patterns of fossil fuel combustion.OCO-3
Orbiting Carbon Observatory 3
Orbiting Carbon Observatory 3 -
Launch Date: 2012
The coastal zone is home to a high fraction of humanity and is increasingly affected by natural and human-induced events from tsunamis to toxic blooms and oil spills.
PRISM
Portable Remote Imaging SpectroMeter
Portable Remote Imaging SpectroMeter -
Launch Date: May 21, 2018
RainCube (Radar in a CubeSat) is a technology demonstration mission to enable Ka-band precipitation radar technologies on a low-cost, quick-turnaround platform.RainCube
Radar in a CubeSat
Radar in a CubeSat -
Launch Date: Nov 21, 2020
Designed to measure the height of the ocean - a key component to understanding how Earth's climate is changing - Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich/Jason CS consists of two identical satellites that will be launched five years apart.Sentinel-6
Sentinel-6 -
Launch Date: January 31, 2015
Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, is an Earth satellite mission designed to measure and map Earth's soil moisture and freeze/thaw state to better understand terrestrial water, carbon and energy cycles.SMAP
Soil Moisture Active Passive
Soil Moisture Active Passive -
Launch Date: February 12, 1997
The Space Very Long Baseline Interferometry is a network of space- and Earth-based radio antennas that combine to create the equivalent of a telescope with a diameter more than two-and-a-half times the diameter of Earth.Space VLBI
Space Very Long Baseline Interferometry
Space Very Long Baseline Interferometry -
Launch Date: May 21, 2018
TEMPEST-D is a technology demonstration mission to enable millimeter wave radiometer technologies on a low-cost, short development schedule.TEMPEST-D
Temporal Experiment for Storms and Tropical Systems - Demonstration
Temporal Experiment for Storms and Tropical Systems - Demonstration -
Launch Date: August 18, 2007
The Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar, or UAVSAR, is an imaging radar instrument that collects key measurements of Earth deformation.UAVSAR
Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar
Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar -
Launch Date: September 5, 1977
Voyager 1 reached interstellar space in August 2012 and is the most distant human-made object in existence.Voyager 1
Voyager 1 -
Launch Date: August 20, 1977
The Voyager 2 spacecraft, which has been in operation since 1977 and is the only spacecraft to have ever visited Uranus and Neptune, has made its way to interstellar space, where its twin spacecraft, Voyager 1, has resided since August 2012.Voyager 2
Voyager 2 -
Launch Date: December 14, 2009
WISE launched into the morning skies above Vandenberg Air Force Base in central California on December 14, 2009.
WISE
Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer
Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer