What can satellites primarily observe?

Satellites are equipped with a variety of sensors that allow them to observe a wide range of targets, making them versatile tools for gathering geospatial intelligence. The ability to observe Earth and other satellites encompasses a broad spectrum of observations including terrestrial features, human infrastructure, environmental changes, and celestial bodies.

When observing Earth, satellites can capture images and data of landscapes, urban areas, water bodies, and even phenomena like climate change. They can also monitor the activities of other satellites in orbit, which is important for space traffic management and ensuring the safety of operations in space.

While the other options highlight specific observations, they do not capture the full capability of satellites. Focusing solely on Earth's surface limits the range of data that satellites can provide. Monitoring human activities on land addresses only one aspect of what can be observed. Observations of clouds and weather patterns represent an essential function of meteorological satellites but again do not encompass the entire scope of satellite observation capabilities.

Overall, the primary observation capacity of satellites includes both the Earth and other objects in space, making the choice that encompasses both aspects the most accurate.