Hurricane Gustav: the view from space

August 26, 1500 GMT: Hurricane Gustav south east of Cuba, about 380km from Guantanamo. At this time it was moving at 15kmh (8mph) with sustained winds of 160kmh (90mph) Photograph: NOAA/NOAA

August 27, 1500 GMT: Downgraded to a tropical storm Gustav weakened about 170km west of Haiti and moved north west at 8kmh with maximum winds of 100kmh (60mph) Photograph: NOAA/NOAA

August 28, 1500 GMT: In this image tropical storm Gustav was 70km east of Kingston, Jamaica, moving at 8km with sustained winds of 120kmh Photograph: NOAA/NOAA

August 29, 1215 GMT: However, Gustav was forecast to strengthen as it tracked through the Gulf of Mexico towards the US coast Photograph: NOAA/NOAA

August 29: By the afternoon Gustav was a category 1 hurricane. When NASA’s Aqua satellite captured this image the storm had developed, taking on a distinct circular shape that it had not displayed in previous days. A small dark depression hints at the location of the eye. Winds were hitting 120kmh Photograph: NASA/NASA

September 1, 0945 GMT: A shortwave image of hurricane Gustav as it approaches New Orleans. It is now a category 3 hurricane, with winds of 185kmph (120mph) Photograph: National Hurricane Centre/NOAA/National Hurricane Centre/NOAA

September 1, 0945 GMT: An infra red image of hurricane Gustav as it approaches the US coast Photograph: National Hurricane Centre/NOAA/National Hurricane Centre/NOAA

September 1, 1015 GMT: A water vapour image of hurricane Gustav. Gustav is expected to cause severe damage, but is forecast to weaken as it tracks over land and loses energy Photograph: National Hurricane Centre/NOAA/NOAA

September 1, 1200 GMT: Gustav made landfall in Louisiana, just west of New Orleans Photograph: NOAA/NOAA

September 1, 1445 GMT: Gustav was downgraded to a category two hurricane as it continued to progress inland. It was expected to create a storm surge of 2m to 3m Photograph: NOAA/NOAA

September 1, 1545 GMT: An enhanced-colour image of hurricane Gustav Photograph: NOAA/NOAA

September 1: This is the National Weather Service's projection of the hurricane's track cone Photograph: NOAA/NOAA

September 2: As the threat of catastrophic damage from hurricane Gustav recedes, the National Hurricane Centre is warning people to be prepared as hurricane season continues. Other tropical storms and hurricanes, including hurricane Hannah, are on the radar Photograph: NOAA/NOAA