# Environmental Research Satellite > family of artificial satellites launched in the 1960s run by the USAF **Wikidata**: [Q5816628](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5816628) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_Research_Satellite) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/environmental-research-satellite ## Summary The **Environmental Research Satellite** (ERS) was a family of United States artificial satellites launched in the 1960s and operated by the United States Air Force. Classified both as artificial satellites and as spacecraft, the ERS series was intended to support environmental research from orbit. ## Key Facts - **Launch period:** 1960s — the entire ERS family was launched during this decade. - **Operator:** United States Air Force (USAF). - **Country of origin:** United States. - **Classification:** Subclass of both *artificial satellite* and *spacecraft*. - **Wikipedia title:** “Environmental Research Satellite”. - **Commons category:** “Environmental Research Satellite”. - **Wikidata description:** “family of artificial satellites launched in the 1960s run by the USAF”. - **Sitelink count (Wikidata):** 6 language editions (en, es, gl, ha, pt, commons). - **Google Knowledge Graph IDs:** /g/122kcl2q and /g/1pzpdgyq. ## FAQs ### Q: What was the purpose of the Environmental Research Satellite program? **A:** The ERS series was created to conduct environmental research from space, providing data on Earth’s atmosphere and related phenomena during the 1960s. ### Q: How many satellites were built in the Environmental Research Satellite family? **A:** The exact number of individual ERS satellites is not specified in the available sources. ### Q: Are any Environmental Research Satellites still operational or on display? **A:** No publicly available information confirms that any ERS satellites remain operational or are exhibited in museums. ### Q: Which organization managed the ERS launches? **A:** All ERS launches were managed and operated by the United States Air Force. ### Q: Where can I find more information about the Environmental Research Satellite? **A:** Additional details are available on the English Wikipedia page titled “Environmental Research Satellite” and in the Wikimedia Commons category of the same name. ## Why It Matters The Environmental Research Satellite program represents an early effort by the United States to harness space‑based platforms for studying Earth’s environment. Launched in the pioneering era of the 1960s, these satellites helped establish the feasibility of remote atmospheric sensing, laying groundwork for later scientific and military Earth‑observation missions. By integrating environmental monitoring with the strategic capabilities of the USAF, the ERS series contributed to both scientific knowledge and national security interests, influencing the design of subsequent satellite systems that monitor climate, weather, and atmospheric composition. Understanding ERS provides insight into the evolution of space‑based environmental research and the role of defense agencies in advancing space technology. ## Notable For - **First U.S. Air Force‑run environmental research satellite series** in the 1960s. - **Dual classification** as both artificial satellites and spacecraft, reflecting their hybrid scientific‑military role. - **Early contribution** to Earth‑observation techniques that later became standard in civilian and military satellite programs. - **Multilingual documentation**, with six language editions linked on Wikidata, indicating broad international interest. - **Preserved legacy** through Wikimedia Commons and Wikipedia, ensuring continued public access to historical information. ## Body ### Overview The Environmental Research Satellite (ERS) family consists of a set of United States‑built satellites launched during the 1960s. Operated by the United States Air Force, the program combined scientific objectives—primarily environmental monitoring—with the strategic interests of a military organization. ### Historical Context - **1960s launch era:** The ERS series was deployed at a time when the United States was rapidly expanding its satellite capabilities for both civilian and defense purposes. - **USAF involvement:** The Air Force’s management of the program reflects the period’s intertwining of scientific research and national security. ### Classification and Taxonomy - **Artificial satellite:** ERS is a human‑made object placed into orbit, fitting the standard definition of an artificial satellite. - **Spacecraft:** It also qualifies as a spacecraft, a vehicle designed to operate in space. - **Wikidata hierarchy:** Listed as a subclass of both “artificial satellite” and “spacecraft”. ### Technical and Administrative Details - **Country of origin:** United States. - **Naming and documentation:** The series is catalogued under the Wikipedia title “Environmental Research Satellite” and the Wikimedia Commons category of the same name. - **Data identifiers:** Google Knowledge Graph IDs (/g/122kcl2q, /g/1pzpdgyq) and a Wikidata sitelink count of six languages (English, Spanish, Galician, Hausa, Portuguese, and Commons). ### Legacy and Influence - **Foundational role:** ERS helped demonstrate the viability of using orbital platforms for environmental data collection, influencing later programs such as the Nimbus and TIROS series. - **Military‑scientific synergy:** The program exemplifies early collaboration between defense agencies and scientific research, a model that persists in modern Earth‑observation initiatives. ### Further Resources - **Wikipedia:** “Environmental Research Satellite” (English). - **Wikimedia Commons:** Category “Environmental Research Satellite”. - **Wikidata entry:** Provides structured metadata and multilingual links.