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.
Organizations
Launch Date
November 2028
Class
Flight Project
Website
Key Staffs
GSFC Science and Applications 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
2024.
"Characterizing vicarious calibration test sites using imaging spectroscopy.",
Earth Observing Systems XXIX,36
[10.1117/12.3028315]
[Proceedings]
2024.
"Assessment of Spatial Characterization Metrics for On-Orbit Performance of Landsat 8 and 9 Thermal Infrared Sensors.",
Remote Sensing,
16
(19):
3588
[10.3390/rs16193588]
[Journal Article/Letter]
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]