Space & Astronomy Climate & Environment Medicine & Health Physics & Materials Science Technology & Innovation Sources: This report is based on science news and press releases from Aug. 11–12, 2025 (and surrounding dates) by reputable outlets and institutions, including Nature nature.com unr.edu, Scientific American scientificamerican.com, ScienceDaily sciencedaily.com sciencedaily.com, NASA science.nasa.gov, Reuters reuters.com, Euronews/AP euronews.com, university…
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ICESat-2 (NASA) launched September 15, 2018 on a Delta II rocket and carries the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS), a photon-counting laser that operates from a ~481 km near-polar orbit (92°) with ground tracks repeating every 91 days to map ice sheets, sea-ice freeboard, glacier height, and forest canopy. CryoSat-2 (ESA) launched April 8,…
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Over 5,400 Earth observation satellites are projected to be launched globally from 2024 to 2033, nearly triple the previous decade. NOAA’s GeoXO program will deploy at least three geostationary satellites (with options up to four more) to upgrade GOES-R and extend Western Hemisphere coverage, following a $2.27 billion contract awarded to Lockheed Martin in 2024.…
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TIROS-1, launched by NASA on April 1, 1960, weighed about 120 kg and transmitted over 19,000 cloud images in 78 days, proving the concept of space-based weather observation. GOES-16 (GOES-East), launched in 2016 as part of the GOES-R series, delivers 0.5 km resolution imagery across 16 spectral bands and can scan as often as 30…
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