The Landsat program is the longest-running enterprise for the acquisition of satellite imagery of Earth, initiated by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in collaboration with NASA. The program began in 1972 with the launch of the first Landsat satellite, initially named Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS). The primary objective of the Landsat program is to provide continuous, global, and moderate-resolution coverage of the Earth's surface, facilitating the monitoring of natural resources, urban growth, agricultural trends, and environmental changes. Over the decades, the program has played a crucial role in various fields, including agriculture, forestry, geology, and climate research. The data collected by Landsat satellites are freely available to the public, fostering extensive use in scientific research, policy-making, and commercial applications. The program has seen multiple iterations, with the latest being Landsat 9, launched in 2021, ensuring the continuity of this vital Earth observation mission.
Translations: Landsat program in Hebrew is תוכנית לנדסט.
American network of Earth-observing satellites for international research purposes
The Landsat program is the longest-running enterprise that has acquired satellite imagery of Earth. It is a joint NASA / USGS program. On 23 July 1972, the Earth Resources Technology Satellite was launched. This was eventually renamed to Landsat 1 in 1975. The most recent, Landsat 9, was launched on 27 September 2021.