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Landsat Missions

Since 1972, Landsat satellites have continuously acquired images of the Earth’s land surface, providing uninterrupted data to help land managers and policymakers make informed decisions about natural resources and the environment. Data acquired by Landsat satellites are distributed from the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Project Information

Landsat 9 logo

There is a wealth of technical information and statistics about the Landsat Project, Landsat data, and Landsat science products. Statistics about Landsat data availability, distribution and usage are updated quarterly.

News about Landsat

Find the latest news about Landsat missions, data products, data access, and related topics. 

 

Landsat Products and Data Access

Landsat data products are continually being matured into the highest quality possible. These products allow scientists to provide improved and more useful results for land change and use analysis. Landsat data products held in the USGS archives can be searched and downloaded at no charge from a variety of data portals. 

 

Example of the Landsat Archive Dashboard Graphics
Animated image of the Landsat Archive Dashboard.

Useful Tools & Viewers

Various files, tools, converters, and information to better understand Landsat acquisition and how to search for Landsat data and products.

International Collaboration

Landsat has always been an important component of U.S. foreign policy, science, and technology policy. A longstanding network of International Cooperators operate numerous International Ground Stations allowing direct reception and downlink from Landsat satellites. In 2010, International Cooperators started the effort to consolidate Landsat data acquired at worldwide ground station to the USGS archive.

 

Education and Outreach Resources

Landsat education and outreach resources can be used by students, teachers and the general public to further understand the fundamentals of remote sensing, Landsat technology, and how practical applications of Landsat data are helping specialists manage Earth's natural resources for a growing world population.

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News

USGS and Australia formally partner for upcoming Landsat Next satellite mission

USGS and Australia formally partner for upcoming Landsat Next satellite mission

Latest in Landsat August 2024 - Vol. 3 | Issue 8

Landsat Is Vital to American Agriculture, Forests

Landsat Is Vital to American Agriculture, Forests

Publications

Interdisciplinary science approach for harmful algal blooms (HABs) and algal toxins—A strategic science vision for the U.S. Geological Survey

Executive SummaryAlgal blooms in water, soils, dusts, and the environment have captured national attention because of concerns associated with exposure to algal toxins for humans and animals. Algal blooms naturally occur in all surface-water types and are important primary producers for aquatic ecosystems. However, excessive algae growth can be associated with many harmful effects ranging from aes
Authors
Victoria G. Christensen, Christopher J. Crawford, Robert J. Dusek, Michael J. Focazio, Lisa Reynolds Fogarty, Jennifer L. Graham, Celeste A. Journey, Mari E. Lee, James H. Larson, Sarah M. Stackpoole, Viviana Mazzei, Emily J. Pindilli, Barnett A. Rattner, E. Terrence Slonecker, Kristen B. McSwain, Timothy J. Reilly, Ashley E. Lopez

ECCOE Landsat quarterly Calibration and Validation report—Quarter 4, 2023

Executive SummaryThe U.S. Geological Survey Earth Resources Observation and Science Calibration and Validation (Cal/Val) Center of Excellence (ECCOE) focuses on improving the accuracy, precision, calibration, and product quality of remote-sensing data, leveraging years of multiscale optical system geometric and radiometric calibration and characterization experience. The ECCOE Landsat Cal/Val Team
Authors
Md Obaidul Haque, Rajagopalan Rengarajan, Mark Lubke, Md Nahid Hasan, Ashish Shrestha, Jerad L. Shaw, Alex Denevan, Kathryn Ruslander, Esad Micijevic, Michael J. Choate, Cody Anderson, Kurt Thome, Julia Barsi, Ed Kaita, Raviv Levy, Jeff Miller, Leibo Ding

ECCOE Landsat quarterly Calibration and Validation report—Quarter 3, 2023

Executive SummaryThe U.S. Geological Survey Earth Resources Observation and Science Calibration and Validation (Cal/Val) Center of Excellence (ECCOE) focuses on improving the accuracy, precision, calibration, and product quality of remote-sensing data, leveraging years of multiscale optical system geometric and radiometric calibration and characterization experience. The ECCOE Landsat Cal/Val Team
Authors
Md Obaidul Haque, Rajagopalan Rengarajan, Mark Lubke, Md Nahid Hasan, Ashish Shrestha, Jerad L. Shaw, Alex Denevan, Kathryn Ruslander, Esad Micijevic, Michael J. Choate, Cody Anderson, Kurt Thome, Ed Kaita, Julia Barsi, Raviv Levy, Jeff Miller, Leibo Ding

Science

Eyes on Earth Episode 121 – Mapping the Australia Coastline

Landsat’s deep archive can reveal where coastlines are changing, even for an entire continent, especially with some clever coding to make it useful to researchers.
link

Eyes on Earth Episode 121 – Mapping the Australia Coastline

Landsat’s deep archive can reveal where coastlines are changing, even for an entire continent, especially with some clever coding to make it useful to researchers.
Learn More

Eyes on Earth Episode 120 – Mapping the California Coastline

Coastline erosion can change your favorite beach. But it can also affect highways and buildings. Landsat, along with high-resolution data, can be used to model the past and predict the future of changes caused by sea level rise and coastal erosion.
link

Eyes on Earth Episode 120 – Mapping the California Coastline

Coastline erosion can change your favorite beach. But it can also affect highways and buildings. Landsat, along with high-resolution data, can be used to model the past and predict the future of changes caused by sea level rise and coastal erosion.
Learn More

Eyes on Earth Episode 119 – Kristi Kline: EROS Career Reflections

A discussion with Kristi Kline, who is retiring from EROS, about innovations that have taken place in computer tech and data processing.
link

Eyes on Earth Episode 119 – Kristi Kline: EROS Career Reflections

A discussion with Kristi Kline, who is retiring from EROS, about innovations that have taken place in computer tech and data processing.
Learn More

Multimedia

Landsat images of the Park Fire in northern California July 2024
Landsat Images of the Park Fire, July 2024
Landsat Images of the Park Fire, July 2024
Landsat images showing how the coastline has changed over the years
Landsat Reveals Cape Cod's Changing Coastlines
Landsat Reveals Cape Cod's Changing Coastlines
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, and U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, with the signed bilateral statement.
Australia has formally joined the Landsat Next satellite program
Australia has formally joined the Landsat Next satellite program
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, and U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, with the signed bilateral statement.
Australia has formally joined the United States-led Landsat Next satellite program
Australia has formally joined the United States-led Landsat Next satellite program
Alison Rose, Geoscience Australia, and Darcee Killpack, USGS sign a Memorandum of Understanding for Landsat Next partnership.
USGS and Australia formally partner for upcoming Landsat Next satellite mission
USGS and Australia formally partner for upcoming Landsat Next satellite mission
Thumbnail image for EonE Episode 121 – Mapping the Australia Coastline showing guest Robbi Bishop-Taylor
Eyes on Earth Episode 121 – Mapping the Australia Coastline
Eyes on Earth Episode 121 – Mapping the Australia Coastline
GIF of cumulative number of Landsat Scenes
Cumulative Number of Landsat Scenes
Cumulative Number of Landsat Scenes
Eyes on Earth thumbnail image for Episode 120 – Mapping the California Coastline showing guest Sean Vitousek on a watercraft
Eyes on Earth Episode 120 – Mapping the California Coastline
Eyes on Earth Episode 120 – Mapping the California Coastline
Landsat 9 image of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area - The Valley of the Sun
Landsat 9 Image of Phoenix Metropolitan Area
Landsat 9 Image of Phoenix Metropolitan Area