The Landsat program is the longest-running project dedicated to collecting satellite images of Earth from space. It is a joint partnership between NASA and the United States Geological Survey and has become one of the most important Earth observation programs in history. The program was created to help scientists, researchers, and governments better understand how Earth’s surface changes over time. By continuously capturing images of the planet for decades, Landsat has provided a valuable historical record of environmental and human activity across the globe.
The program first began on July 23, 1972, when the Earth Resources Technology Satellite was launched into orbit. In 1975, the satellite was officially renamed Landsat 1, beginning the well-known Landsat series. Since then, several new satellites have been developed and launched to continue the mission of observing Earth from space. The newest satellite in the program, Landsat 9, was launched on September 27, 2021, continuing nearly fifty years of uninterrupted Earth observation and scientific research.
The instruments onboard Landsat satellites have collected millions of detailed images of Earth’s land surfaces. These images have become extremely important for studying global environmental changes, including deforestation, climate change, urban growth, wildfires, droughts, and changes in water supplies. Landsat data is also widely used in agriculture, cartography, geology, forestry, education, regional planning, and environmental monitoring. Scientists and researchers use the images to compare changes over time, allowing them to better understand how natural events and human activities affect the planet.
The images collected by Landsat are stored both in the United States and at receiving stations around the world, making the information accessible to researchers internationally. Many of these images can also be viewed through the USGS EarthExplorer website, which allows the public and scientists to explore decades of satellite imagery. This easy access to information has helped increase scientific research, education, and public awareness about environmental issues and Earth systems.
The partnership between NASA and the United States Geological Survey is an important part of the program’s success. NASA is responsible for designing, building, and launching the satellites into orbit, while the USGS manages and operates the satellites after launch. The USGS also distributes the collected data to scientists, researchers, and the public. This collaboration allows both organizations to combine their expertise in space technology and Earth science to maintain one of the world’s most reliable satellite observation systems.
As of October 2022, nine Landsat satellites had been built, with eight successfully operating in orbit throughout the history of the program. Over the decades, Landsat has become one of the most trusted and widely used sources of satellite imagery in the world. The program continues to support scientific discovery, environmental protection, and global understanding of Earth’s changing landscapes.