for nearly half a century satellite have been orbiting earth, providing a unique record of the evolving state of the planet, the latest satellite has been lodged and nasa claims this newest addition to the longest continuous record of the earth's service will enable scientists to separate the human and natural changes. and lift off! a murky, rainy day in california, but that was not going to stop this vital launch from going ahead. rising into orbit, it is the latest in a long line of satellites, giving us an essential view, not of space, but of earth and what we are doing to it. it was american astronauts circling the moon who were the first to be amazed by the sight of our planet as a delicate blue oasis, and their images were so powerful, they helped to kick—start the environmental movement. since then, satellites have spotted forests