What Happens When NASA Loses Eyes on Earth? We’re About to Find Out.

Three long-running satellites will soon be switched off, forcing scientists to figure out how to adjust their views of our changing planet.

When the three orbiters — Terra, Aqua and Aura — are powered down, much of the data they’ve been collecting will end with them, and newer satellites won’t pick up all of the slack. Researchers will either have to rely on alternate sources that might not meet their exact needs or seek workarounds to allow their records to continue.