This chart shows the number of commercial and government/civil satellites launched each year since 1972. Visit the Earth Observing Satellites webpage for more information.
Multimedia
Images
Chart of Commercial, Government-Civil Satellites Launched
This chart shows the number of commercial and government/civil satellites launched each year since 1972. Visit the Earth Observing Satellites webpage for more information.
Countries with Earth Observing Satellites
The numbers on this map indicate the number of commercial and/or government/civil satellites launched by the highlighted countries. This image will be updated as needed, when information about new satellites is received. Visit the Earth Observing Satellites webpage for more information.
The numbers on this map indicate the number of commercial and/or government/civil satellites launched by the highlighted countries. This image will be updated as needed, when information about new satellites is received. Visit the Earth Observing Satellites webpage for more information.
Landsat Global Archive Consolidation WRS 2 Scenes
The Landsat Global Archive Consolidation WRS-2 Scenes heatmap displays Landsat scenes by WRS-2 path/row that were contributed to the USGS Landsat Archive by Landsat International Cooperator Ground Stations.
The Landsat Global Archive Consolidation WRS-2 Scenes heatmap displays Landsat scenes by WRS-2 path/row that were contributed to the USGS Landsat Archive by Landsat International Cooperator Ground Stations.
Landsat Global Archive Consolidation WRS 1 Scenes
The Landsat Global Archive Consolidation WRS-1 Scenes heatmap displays Landsat scenes by WRS-1 path/row that were contributed to the USGS Landsat Archive by Landsat International Cooperator Ground Stations.
The Landsat Global Archive Consolidation WRS-1 Scenes heatmap displays Landsat scenes by WRS-1 path/row that were contributed to the USGS Landsat Archive by Landsat International Cooperator Ground Stations.
Landsat 8 image of the Salton Sea 2023
This Landsat 8 image shows the Salton Sea and surrounding area in California.
Landsat 8
Path 39 Row 37
October 18, 2023
Bands 6,5,4
This Landsat 8 image shows the Salton Sea and surrounding area in California.
Landsat 8
Path 39 Row 37
October 18, 2023
Bands 6,5,4
Landsat 8 Image of Tiwi Islands
This Landsat 8 images displays the Tiwi Islands.
The Tiwi Islands are part of the Northern Territory, Australia, north of Darwin in the Timor Sea. They are comprised of the islands of Melville and Bathurst, and nine smaller, uninhabited islands.
This Landsat 8 images displays the Tiwi Islands.
The Tiwi Islands are part of the Northern Territory, Australia, north of Darwin in the Timor Sea. They are comprised of the islands of Melville and Bathurst, and nine smaller, uninhabited islands.
Videos
Image of the Week: A Warm February in Northern Minnesota
Like many lakes in northern Minnesota, Mille Lacs near Brainerd experienced an uncommonly warm winter this year, with lower than average snowfall. Natural color Landsat images from the past ten Februarys reveal a stark change in 2024.
Like many lakes in northern Minnesota, Mille Lacs near Brainerd experienced an uncommonly warm winter this year, with lower than average snowfall. Natural color Landsat images from the past ten Februarys reveal a stark change in 2024.
Von Karman Vortices in the Atlantic (Image of the Week)
On March 3rd, near South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Landsat 9 captured this dream-like image. This natural color view shows a weather pattern known as a “Von Karman vortex street," caused by prevailing winds from the southeast.
On March 3rd, near South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Landsat 9 captured this dream-like image. This natural color view shows a weather pattern known as a “Von Karman vortex street," caused by prevailing winds from the southeast.
Image of the Week: Fire in Northern Australia: a 2023 Timelapse
The bushfire season in northern Australia generally runs from May to October. 2023 was an especially intense year in the north. Select infrared imagery from the Landsat archive was used here to produce a rolling mosaic timelapse of the landscape in eight-day segments.
The bushfire season in northern Australia generally runs from May to October. 2023 was an especially intense year in the north. Select infrared imagery from the Landsat archive was used here to produce a rolling mosaic timelapse of the landscape in eight-day segments.
Image of the Week: Landsat Views of Africa's Largest Hydro Dam
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is set to become the largest hydroelectric power plant in Africa.
Located near the Sudan border in Ethiopia, the promising and controversial project impacts communities up and down the Blue Nile.
Landsat sensors capture the region in false color infrared, emphasizing the reservoir's boundary.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is set to become the largest hydroelectric power plant in Africa.
Located near the Sudan border in Ethiopia, the promising and controversial project impacts communities up and down the Blue Nile.
Landsat sensors capture the region in false color infrared, emphasizing the reservoir's boundary.
Image of the Week: Aerial Photos of an Image Archive
The home of the Landsat satellite archive is surrounded by corn and soybean fields. The archive is kept at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science Center (EROS) located near Sioux Falls, South Dakota. EROS is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
The home of the Landsat satellite archive is surrounded by corn and soybean fields. The archive is kept at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science Center (EROS) located near Sioux Falls, South Dakota. EROS is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Image of the Week - Drought in Brazil
The Amazon Rainforest in South America typically experiences its drier season between the months of July and October. Satellite imagery from Landsats 9 and 8 show severe drought conditions in 2023 in comparison to 2022 when the area received average rainfall.
The Amazon Rainforest in South America typically experiences its drier season between the months of July and October. Satellite imagery from Landsats 9 and 8 show severe drought conditions in 2023 in comparison to 2022 when the area received average rainfall.
Audio
Eyes on Earth Episode 118 – Preparing for Landsat Next, Part 2
In this episode of Eyes on Earth, we talk with several people involved with the next Landsat mission, targeted for launch around 2030. While that may seem like a ways into the future, it takes a lot of work to prepare for such a big mission.
In this episode of Eyes on Earth, we talk with several people involved with the next Landsat mission, targeted for launch around 2030. While that may seem like a ways into the future, it takes a lot of work to prepare for such a big mission.
Eyes on Earth Episode 117 – Preparing for Landsat Next, Part 1
In this episode of Eyes on Earth, we talk with several people involved with the next Landsat mission. In Part 1, we’ll hear about how different Landsat Next will be from previous Landsat missions and how its additional spectral bands, higher resolution and 6-day revisit will benefit science and society.
In this episode of Eyes on Earth, we talk with several people involved with the next Landsat mission. In Part 1, we’ll hear about how different Landsat Next will be from previous Landsat missions and how its additional spectral bands, higher resolution and 6-day revisit will benefit science and society.
Eyes on Earth Episode 116 – Landsat Images the Twilight Zone
Landsat has documented changes all over the world for over 50 years. Changes in polar regions are happening especially rapidly. But it’s dark in polar regions much of the time. Therefore, a new acquisition scheme is adding more imagery of these dark, polar regions so these changes can be studied in more detail, even in polar twilight.
Landsat has documented changes all over the world for over 50 years. Changes in polar regions are happening especially rapidly. But it’s dark in polar regions much of the time. Therefore, a new acquisition scheme is adding more imagery of these dark, polar regions so these changes can be studied in more detail, even in polar twilight.
Eyes on Earth Episode 115 – EROS Women in Science
Women have been crucial to the EROS workforce from the very beginning in a variety of areas, from customer service and computers to film processing and administration.
Women have been crucial to the EROS workforce from the very beginning in a variety of areas, from customer service and computers to film processing and administration.
Eyes on Earth Episode 91 – Intro to AmericaView
AmericaView aims to advance Earth observation education through a network of programs based at universities in more than 40 states.
AmericaView aims to advance Earth observation education through a network of programs based at universities in more than 40 states.
Eyes on Earth Episode 62 - Landsat 9 Launch Part 3
For our third and final episode of Eyes on Earth from the September launch of Landsat 9, we hear from Virginia Norwood. She blazed a trail for women in remote sensing in the 1960s and 70s while working for Hughes Aircraft, a contractor for NASA.
For our third and final episode of Eyes on Earth from the September launch of Landsat 9, we hear from Virginia Norwood. She blazed a trail for women in remote sensing in the 1960s and 70s while working for Hughes Aircraft, a contractor for NASA.