EO·Atlas
Preview build / EO·Atlas v0.9, content still landing
EO·Atlas / Sensors / MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer)
Sensor · Spaceborne

MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer)

Missions → Aqua (Degraded) , Terra (Degraded)

Whiskbroom multispectral scanning spectroradiometer, 36 discrete bands from 405 to 14385 nm (visible through thermal infrared), daily global coverage at 250/500/1000 m GSD per band group. Two flight units: MODIS-Terra (launched December 1999, orbit drifted to about 9:06 AM equatorial crossing as of December 2025, power-constrained) and MODIS-Aqua (launched May 2002, in free-drift since December 2021, passivation scheduled Fall 2026; MODIS itself remains operational on both spacecraft). Built by Raytheon SBRS (formerly Hughes SBRS / Santa Barbara Research Center) under NASA contract, with NASA GSFC holding science leadership. Foundational input to global vegetation time-series and deforestation monitoring (MOD13Q1 NDVI/EVI, MCD64A1 burned area, MOD14 active fire).

Sensor

MODIS is a NASA whiskbroom multispectral scanning spectroradiometer flown on Terra and Aqua, with 36 spectral bands from 405 to 14385 nm and daily global coverage at 250 m, 500 m, and 1000 m band groups.[1] The instrument is a 12-bit system with a 2330 km swath and an optical design built around a scan mirror, telescope, and focal-plane assemblies for visible through thermal infrared measurements.[2][1] MODIS data products include vegetation indices, thermal anomalies and fire products, land-surface temperature and emissivity, and ocean colour products.[3][4] Aqua mission status pages identify MODIS as an Aqua instrument and maintain mission-status reporting for that spacecraft.[5]

Methodology Evidence Mission Citation
Vegetation-index mapping Demonstrated Terra [4]
Thermal-anomaly detection Demonstrated Terra [3]
LST and emissivity retrieval Demonstrated Terra [3]
Ocean-colour water-leaving radiance Demonstrated Aqua [3]
Operator pricing

Pricing not publicly listed by operator

Where this fits, supply chain

Compositional position

Aqua ——— this payload
Terra ——— this payload
this ——— Aqua (Degraded) flies on
this ——— Terra (Degraded) flies on
Methods this sensor implements
Demonstrated
Capable, undemonstrated

None on record.

Topics this relates to
Building thermal performanceLand-surface temperature - emissivity retrieval(demonstrated)well suited
Permafrost and ground iceLand-surface temperature - emissivity retrieval(demonstrated)adequate
Harmful algal bloomsOcean colour / water-leaving radiance(demonstrated)well suited
Inland waterOcean colour / water-leaving radiance(demonstrated)well suited
Marine primary productionOcean colour / water-leaving radiance(demonstrated)well suited
Greenhouse gas inventoryOcean colour / water-leaving radiance(demonstrated)adequate
Illegal and unregulated fishingOcean colour / water-leaving radiance(demonstrated)adequate
Sea stateOptical sun-glint surface imaging(demonstrated)marginal
Sea surface temperatureSea-surface temperature retrieval(demonstrated)well suited
Ocean heat contentSea-surface temperature retrieval(demonstrated)marginal
Industrial emissionsThermal anomaly detection(demonstrated)well suited
Geology and geohazardsThermal anomaly detection(demonstrated)adequate
Air qualityThermal anomaly detection(demonstrated)marginal
CO2Thermal anomaly detection(demonstrated)marginal
Economic activity intelligenceThermal anomaly detection(demonstrated)marginal
Oil spillsThermal anomaly detection(demonstrated)marginal
Shipping emissionsThermal anomaly detection(demonstrated)marginal
Crop phenologyVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)well suited
Crop stress and yieldVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)well suited
DeforestationVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)well suited
Land cover changeVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)well suited
Pasture and grazingVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)well suited
Urban changeVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)well suited
Vector-borne disease riskVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)well suited
DroughtVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)adequate
Irrigation monitoringVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)adequate
Pest and disease detectionVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)adequate
Power grid and vegetation encroachmentVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)adequate
Urban heat islandVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)adequate
WildfireVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)adequate
Biodiversity and habitatVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)marginal
Coastal erosionVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)marginal
Coastal water qualityVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)marginal
Crop-type mappingVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)marginal
Disaster damage assessmentVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)marginal
Forest structure and biomassVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)marginal
Illegal constructionVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)marginal
Mineral explorationVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)marginal
Pipeline integrityVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)marginal
Solar energy siting and monitoringVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)marginal
Vessel trackingVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)marginal
Wind energy sitingVegetation index mapping(demonstrated)marginal
Sources
Cite https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/modis Markdown twin → Field definitions →