The satellites are relatively simple devices, being equipped with two cameras constantly taking pictures of the world below, and at present six are in orbit around the earth.
所謂「氣象衛星」，簡單地說就是在衛星裡裝了二部攝影機，然後一起發射至太空，居高臨下地拍攝各雲層、氣旋的照片，風雨的「長相」從此無所遁形地呈現人前。目前，這種人類在天上的「眼睛」已有六個，包括四枚同步衛星，及二枚繞極軌道衛星。