[5] Suomi led the development of McIDAS (Man-computer Interactive Data Access System) in 1972,[6] displaying the images produced by his satellites such as SMS-1 in 1974.

[10] It is granted to individuals in recognition of highly significant technological achievement in the atmospheric or related oceanic and hydrologic sciences.

[11] On that occasion, John Grunsfeld, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, said that "Verner Suomi's many scientific and engineering contributions were fundamental to our current ability to learn about Earth's weather and climate from space.

"[12] The Suomi NPP houses the VIIRS instrument that provided the images which were combined to make the 2012 The Blue Marble photo.

[1] He was survived by his wife Paula and his children Eric, Stephen, and Lois; two sisters, Edith and Esther; two granddaughters; and many nieces and nephews.