The role of satellites in snow and ice measurements

Earth-orbiting polar satellites are desirable platforms for the remote sensing of snow and ice. Geostationary satellites at a very high altitude (35,900 km) are also desirable platforms for many remote sensors, for communications relay, for flood warning systems, and for telemetry of data from unattended instrumentation in remote, inaccessible places such as the Arctic, Antarctic, or mountain tops. Optimum use of satellite platforms is achieved only after careful consideration of the temporal, spatial, and spectral requirements of the environmental mission. The National Environmental Satellite Service will maintain both types of environmental satellites as part of its mission