Observation of the System Earth from Space
Hardly any other technology is able to deliver such up-to-date and comprehensive data as remote observation via satellite.
This process not only allows the Earth’s surface to be mapped in a highly precise way; it also enables scientists to investigate the interior of the planet.
With the help of satellites, the imperceptibly slow movement of the crustal plates can be tracked to the centimetre. What’s more, satellites have become indispensable when it comes to monitoring the environment and assessing the damage caused by natural disasters. Direct insights into the Earth’s interior can be gained by observing its gravity and magnetic fields, and by investigating their variations in time and location in connection with dynamic processes in the liquid core of the planet. In the future, detailed data concerning the magnetic field can be put to practical uses too, such as for much higher-precision navigation of aeroplanes and ships. According to the results of gravitational field analyses, extremely precise predictions can be made with regard to sea level changes and the water-circulation of the oceans — important information for climate change research.
Germany already occupies a leading position in the field of satellite-supported gravitational and magnetic field research, and this fact is reflected in the promotion of innovative remote observation technologies as part of the GEOTECHNOLOGIEN research programme.
