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Peruse our selection of remote sensing and Earth science imagery below.

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Group of people in a lobby
EROS 50th Anniversary Reception
EROS 50th Anniversary Reception
EROS 50th Anniversary Reception

The USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center reception area fills with people for a 50th anniversary event August 19, 2023.

The USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center reception area fills with people for a 50th anniversary event August 19, 2023.

People putting together a giant puzzle
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Puzzle
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Puzzle
Women instructing a group of people
Public Tour at USGS EROS
Public Tour at USGS EROS
Public Tour at USGS EROS

Laura Nemec, a contractor at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center, guides a tour group at the 50th anniversary event August 19, 2023. In the background is a display showing the size of the Landsat 9 satellite.

Laura Nemec, a contractor at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center, guides a tour group at the 50th anniversary event August 19, 2023. In the background is a display showing the size of the Landsat 9 satellite.

Poster with mix of text, logos and photos with different color tints
EROS 50th Anniversary poster
EROS 50th Anniversary poster
EROS 50th Anniversary poster

The commemorative poster for the 50th anniversary celebration, in 2023, of the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center in South Dakota.

The commemorative poster for the 50th anniversary celebration, in 2023, of the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center in South Dakota.

two men shovel dirt on a potted plant
USGS Director David Applegate and USGS EROS Center Director Pete Doucette plant a tree
USGS Director David Applegate and USGS EROS Center Director Pete Doucette plant a tree
USGS Director David Applegate and USGS EROS Center Director Pete Doucette plant a tree

On August 19, 2023, USGS Director David Applegate and USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center Director Pete Doucette use golden shovels that have been used at other EROS dedication events to help dedicate a red oak tree, a long-living species, that will be planted at EROS as a symbolic gesture to its future beyond 50 years.

On August 19, 2023, USGS Director David Applegate and USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center Director Pete Doucette use golden shovels that have been used at other EROS dedication events to help dedicate a red oak tree, a long-living species, that will be planted at EROS as a symbolic gesture to its future beyond 50 years.

Landsat View of Honolulu area
Landsat View of Honolulu Area
Landsat View of Honolulu Area
Landsat View of Honolulu Area

This Landsat 8 image, acquired June 11, 2023, gives a view Hawaii's state capital Honolulu and the surrounding area along the eastern shoreline of O'ahu. Center in this image is the Daniel K.

This Landsat 8 image, acquired June 11, 2023, gives a view Hawaii's state capital Honolulu and the surrounding area along the eastern shoreline of O'ahu. Center in this image is the Daniel K.

Image of Satellite ground station in Norway
Satellite ground station in Svalbard, Norway taken during LGSOWG meeting
Satellite ground station in Svalbard, Norway taken during LGSOWG meeting
Satellite ground station in Svalbard, Norway taken during LGSOWG meeting

This photo was taken at the satellite ground receiving station in Svalbard, Norway during Landsat Ground Station Operators Working Group 51st meeting. 

Visit this News page for more information about the meeting.

This photo was taken at the satellite ground receiving station in Svalbard, Norway during Landsat Ground Station Operators Working Group 51st meeting. 

Visit this News page for more information about the meeting.

Man wearing glasses smiling
SD Representative Ben Reifel
SD Representative Ben Reifel
SD Representative Ben Reifel

Ben Reifel, a representative of South Dakota state, worked to get the USGS EROS facility in his state. 

Ben Reifel, a representative of South Dakota state, worked to get the USGS EROS facility in his state. 

Letters "M R L C"
MRLC Logo
MRLC Logo
MRLC Logo

The Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics (MRLC) Consortium is a group of federal agencies who coordinate and generate consistent and relevant land cover information at the national scale. Learn more here: https://www.mrlc.gov/.

The Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics (MRLC) Consortium is a group of federal agencies who coordinate and generate consistent and relevant land cover information at the national scale. Learn more here: https://www.mrlc.gov/.

a shrub with dark vertical branches and tiny green leaves
Sagebrush plant in Boise, Idaho
Sagebrush plant in Boise, Idaho
Sagebrush plant in Boise, Idaho

A sagebrush plant photographed at a park in Boise, Idaho. Sagebrush landscapes cover a vast part of the western U.S. but are threatened by invasive grasses and a cycle of more frequent and more intense wildfires.

A sagebrush plant photographed at a park in Boise, Idaho. Sagebrush landscapes cover a vast part of the western U.S. but are threatened by invasive grasses and a cycle of more frequent and more intense wildfires.

Drone aerial image of a large building surrounded by sporadic trees, lawn and with a water tower and dome in the background
Exterior drone image of the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center
Exterior drone image of the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center
Exterior drone image of the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center

Exterior drone image of the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center near Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Entrance of building, with lawn, sidewalk, flagpoles and flowerpots
Exterior drone image of USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center
Exterior drone image of USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center
Exterior drone image of USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center

An exterior drone image of USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center in summer 2023 near Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

A man stands next to a very large globe
EROS Center Director Pete Doucette
EROS Center Director Pete Doucette
EROS Center Director Pete Doucette

Pete Doucette was named Director of the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center in March 2023. Listen to an Eyes on Earth podcast episode where he celebrates the past and talks about the future of EROS here.

Pete Doucette was named Director of the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center in March 2023. Listen to an Eyes on Earth podcast episode where he celebrates the past and talks about the future of EROS here.

A man sits in front of computer monitors
The EROS Ground Station
The EROS Ground Station
The EROS Ground Station

Aaron Hensley, KBR contractor at the Earth Resources Observation and Science Center, monitors the computers in the ground station.

Aaron Hensley, KBR contractor at the Earth Resources Observation and Science Center, monitors the computers in the ground station.

 Landsat 9 image of the coastline of Northeastern Queensland, Australia
Landsat 9 image of Northeastern Queensland, Australia
Landsat 9 image of Northeastern Queensland, Australia
Landsat 9 image of Northeastern Queensland, Australia

This Landsat 9 image displaying the coastline of Northeastern Queensland, Australia and the Cumberland Islands was acquired on July 1, and reprocessed on July 12, 2023. 

Path 93 Row 74

Product ID: LC09_L1TP_093074_20230701_20230712_02_T1

This Landsat 9 image displaying the coastline of Northeastern Queensland, Australia and the Cumberland Islands was acquired on July 1, and reprocessed on July 12, 2023. 

Path 93 Row 74

Product ID: LC09_L1TP_093074_20230701_20230712_02_T1

Two men look at a large supercomputer in a bright room
Hovenweep supercomputer at EROS
Hovenweep supercomputer at EROS
Hovenweep supercomputer at EROS

Phill Orlick (left) and Jeff Falgout, both of the USGS, look at the Hovenweep supercomputer recently installed at the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. 

Phill Orlick (left) and Jeff Falgout, both of the USGS, look at the Hovenweep supercomputer recently installed at the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. 

Portrait of a man in glasses
Charles J. Robinove
Charles J. Robinove
Charles J. Robinove

The EROS, or Earth Resources Observation Satellite, Program was formally established by Secretarial Order in 1967. Under the EROS Program, Chuck became the Associate Program Manager. In this position, Charles J. Robinove participated in international remote sensing workshops, facilitated remote sensing research, and coordinated program development.

The EROS, or Earth Resources Observation Satellite, Program was formally established by Secretarial Order in 1967. Under the EROS Program, Chuck became the Associate Program Manager. In this position, Charles J. Robinove participated in international remote sensing workshops, facilitated remote sensing research, and coordinated program development.

Animation of the EROS 50 anniversary graphic.
EROS 50th Anniversary Graphic Animated
EROS 50th Anniversary Graphic Animated
EROS 50th Anniversary Graphic Animated

First came the notion of viewing the Earth’s land surfaces regularly by satellite in the 1960s. Then came the launch of Landsat 1 in 1972, with scientists and governments delighting in the revelations.

First came the notion of viewing the Earth’s land surfaces regularly by satellite in the 1960s. Then came the launch of Landsat 1 in 1972, with scientists and governments delighting in the revelations.