SPACE INDEX COMPANIES INSIGHTS SECTORS PRODUCTS NEWS BLOG ANSWERS RESEARCH ABOUT FOR COMPANIES BUILD / 2026.06.04

Earth Observation

EO APPLICATION

Imaging or sensing the Earth from orbit — optical, SAR, hyperspectral, RF, GNSS-RO — for commercial, government, and scientific use.

DEFINITION

Earth Observation (EO) is the umbrella term for imaging or sensing Earth from space. It includes optical (visible/IR), synthetic aperture radar (SAR), hyperspectral, RF mapping, GNSS reflectometry (GNSS-R), and atmospheric sounders. Outputs range from raw pixels to analytics products (ship detections, methane plumes, crop stress).

WHY IT MATTERS

EO is the second-biggest commercial vertical in space after broadband — Planet, Maxar, BlackSky, ICEYE, Capella, Satellogic, and dozens more. The shift in recent years has been from selling pixels to selling answers (analytics-as-a-service).

WHERE YOU'LL SEE IT
  • Maritime monitoring
  • Defense ISR
  • Agriculture and crop insurance
  • Climate and emissions monitoring
  • Disaster response
RECENT MENTIONS MORE NEWS →
Via Satellite 2026-06-02

The Earth Observation Market and Regulation: Instruments for Growth

Satellite Earth Observation (EO) is increasingly recognized as a strategic instrument for meeting Europe’s defense needs and for ensuring the green and digital transitions. From monitoring droughts and forest fires […] The post The Earth Observation Market and Regulation: Instruments for Growth appeared first on Via Satellite.

NASA Breaking News 2026-06-01

NASA to Conduct Low-Altitude Flights Near Houston 

Five research aircraft will support a Student Airborne Research Program (SARP) mission out of Ellington Field in Houston. Flights are expected from Wednesday, June 3 to Saturday, June 13. During the mission, select maneuvers will be conducted at low altitudes over the Houston area.  Pilots will fly remote sensing payloads in raster patterns, or parallel back-and-forth lines. The instruments flown could help […]

NASA Breaking News 2026-05-28

New Landsat Science Team Holds First In-Person Meeting

From May 5 to 7, the Landsat Science Team meeting convened at the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Co-moderated by Landsat 8, 9, and 10 Project Scientist Chris Neigh, the three-day event officially introduced the new 2026–2030 Science Team members.

RELATED TERMS

Part of the Space Industry Glossary. 28 terms, each linked to live company and news data.