Weather monitoring by satellite
Weather satellite is primarily used to monitor weather and climate conditions on Earth. It can either be orbiting earth, or geostationary over a same spot on the equator.
Besides its primary use, It may also be used to monitor City lighting, fire, air and water pollution, and even energy waste. Depending on the type of sensor the satellite acquires.[1]
U.S. NOAA-N Prime weather satellite
History
The world's very first satellite launched was Vanguard 2, on February 17, 1959. It was designed to measure cloud cover and resistance, but due to its unstable axis rotation, the observed data could not be used.[2]
The world's first successful weather satellite was TIROS-1, launched by NASAon April 1, 1960. Which operated 78 days and was much more successful than Vanguard 2. [3]
Observation types
Types
Geostationary
Polar orbiting
References:
[1] http://www.noaa.gov/satellites.html
[2] http://www.nrl.navy.mil/accomplishments/rockets/vanguard-project/
[3] http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1960-016A