Landsatserie

The Landsat program is a joint NASA and United States Geological Survey (USGS) satellite program that provides the longest continuously acquired record of Earth's surface as seen from space. Launched in 1972, the Landsat series consists of multiple satellites that have captured imagery of the Earth's land, coastal, and polar regions. This extensive archive of data has been instrumental in monitoring environmental changes, managing natural resources, and understanding the impact of human activities on the planet.

Each Landsat satellite carries a suite of sensors that capture images in various spectral bands, from visible light to infrared. This multispectral capability allows scientists to distinguish between different types of land cover, such as forests, water bodies, agricultural fields, and urban areas. The data is freely available to the public, fostering widespread use in research, education, and operational applications.

Over its decades of operation, the Landsat program has documented significant global changes, including deforestation, desertification, glacial retreat, and urban sprawl. The consistent data stream ensures that these trends can be analyzed and understood with unprecedented detail and accuracy. The program continues to evolve with new satellite missions, ensuring the ongoing provision of critical Earth observation data for future generations. The legacy of Landsat lies in its unbroken record and its profound contribution to Earth science.