NASA's Earth-observing satellites have been capturing our planet's dynamic surface changes for over half a century. These observations have been instrumental in monitoring natural events like volcanic eruptions and human-induced alterations such as deforestation. Building upon this wealth of data, terraPulse Inc., based in North Potomac, Maryland, employs artificial intelligence (AI) to transform these satellite images into actionable insights for sustainable land management.

TerraPulse integrates historical and current data from NASA and European satellites, applying AI to produce detailed maps that reveal Earth's transformations over nearly four decades. This capability enables academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, and businesses to make informed ecological decisions. Joe Sexton, chief scientist at terraPulse, emphasizes, "We take the pulse of the planet," highlighting the importance of understanding resource utilization to achieve global sustainability.

Dr. Kathrine Calvin, NASA's chief scientist and senior climate advisor, notes that studying our home planet is among NASA's primary missions. The agency's fleet of Earth-observing satellites collects a diverse array of data, including imagery and atmospheric measurements, offering a comprehensive view of our changing environment. This extensive dataset is freely available, facilitating research and practical applications worldwide.

Sexton's journey began at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, where he contributed to creating the first high-resolution global forest cover map. This experience was pivotal in developing terraPulse's capabilities. By combining satellite imagery, AI, and cloud computing, terraPulse delivers rapid and relevant data products that support a burgeoning industry centered on location intelligence.