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August 15, 2019 - Landsat Collection 2: Documentation and Sample Products Available

In preparation of the public availability of Landsat Collection 2 in early 2020, the USGS have made Landsat Collection 2 Level-1 Data Format Control Books (DFCBs) available to the user community.

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DFCBs provide a high-level description of the Collection 2 Level-1 distribution product, packaging, data format and data contents of the output files. Collection 2 Level-2 DFCB's will be made available soon.  

A primary characteristic of Landsat Collection 2 data is the implementation of Sentinel 2 Global Reference Image (GRI) and updated Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) ground control points for improved geodetic accuracy. Additionally, Landsat Collection 2 will deliver Landsat Level-1 data for all sensors, as well as global Level-2 surface reflectance and surface temperature data products for Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) /Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS), Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), Landsat 4-5 Thematic Mapper (TM), initially. Information and implementation plans for producing Level-2 MSS data will be shared with the Landsat user community upon the completion of product feasibility studies. Landsat 9 Operational Land Imager 2 (OLI-2) /Thermal Infrared Sensor 2 (TIRS-2) data will be included in Collection 2 in early 2021 after launch.

Landsat Collection 2 processing is expected to start early in calendar year 2020, with data becoming available soon after. Landsat Collection 1 data processing will continue, and Collection 1 data downloads will remain available for at least one year after Collection 2 processing and release.  

Visit the Landsat Collection 2 web page to review characteristics of Landsat Collection 2 Level-1 and Level-2 data products, download DFCBs, and to access a Collection 2 Level-1 sample metadata.