# MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer)
*sensor . products*

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).

## Specifications
- **product status**: operational
- **manufacturer**: nasa
- **sensor**: {"instrument_family":"passive-optical","measurement_principle":"passive","spectral_range_nm":{"min":405,"max":14385},"spectral_band_count":36,"gsd_m":{"native":250},"swath_km":2330,"bit_depth":12}
- **last verified date**: "2026-05-18T00:00:00.000Z"
- **verified by**: agency-doc
- **claim status**: agency-verified
- **deployment context**: orbital

## Compositional position
- aqua (missions) --[mission_payloads]--> MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer)
- terra (missions) --[mission_payloads]--> MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer)

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Source: https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/modis
Maintainer: SpectraWorks B.V. (CC-BY 4.0)