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Biospheric Sciences
Operational

Surface Biology and Geology (SBG)

Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) is a Directed Observable mission from the 2017 Decadal Survey. A wide swath visible-to-shortwave infrared imaging spectrometer and a wide-swath thermal imager will provide mow-the-lawn global coverage of Earth’s terrestrial, coastal and open ocean surfaces as well as atmospheric conditions. SBG addresses decadal survey science and applications focal areas including snow, coastal ecosystems, vegetation health, volcanic activity, and mineralogy. Launch readiness date is approximately late 2020s.

Launch Date
November 2028
Class
Flight Project
Website
Key Staffs
  • GSFC Science and Applications Lead
  • GSFC Calibration and Validation Lead
  • Co Investigator

Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) is a Directed Observable mission from the 2017 Decadal Survey. A wide swath visible-to-shortwave infrared imaging spectrometer and a wide-swath thermal imager will provide mow-the-lawn global coverage of Earth’s terrestrial, coastal and open ocean surfaces as well as atmospheric conditions. SBG addresses decadal survey science and applications focal areas including snow, coastal ecosystems, vegetation health, volcanic activity, and mineralogy. Launch readiness date is approximately late 2020s.

Related Publications

2023. "Short‐term variation in leaf‐level water use efficiency in a tropical forest.", New Phytologist, 237 (6): 2069-2087 [10.1111/nph.18684] [Journal Article/Letter]

2026. "The Global Spectra-Trait Initiative: A database of paired leaf spectroscopy and functional traits associated with leaf photosynthetic capacity.", Earth System Science Data, 18 245-265 [https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-245-2026] [Journal Article/Letter]

2026. "Topography and functional traits shape the distribution of key shrub plant functional types in low-Arctic tundra.", Frontiers in Plant Science, 16 1724838 [10.3389/fpls.2025.1724838] [Journal Article/Letter]

2025. "Penguin diet from space: Links between sea ice, Antarctic food webs, and population change.", EcoEvoRxiv, [10.32942/x2ks97] [Journal Article/Letter]

2025. "The influence of forest structural and optical heterogeneity on top of canopy reflectance: A 3D radiative transfer modeling case study based on NEON airborne lidar and imaging spectroscopy.", SSRN, [10.2139/ssrn.5968195] [Journal Article/Letter]