The Department of the Interior (DOI) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) took an interest in uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) technologies in the early 2000s, when UAS were predominantly being used for military applications.
Videos
The USGS National Land Imaging Program supports a variety of geospatial data programs and projects, including the USGS Landsat Program. Browse the videos below to learn more about imagery and science supported through NLI.
The Department of the Interior (DOI) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) took an interest in uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) technologies in the early 2000s, when UAS were predominantly being used for military applications.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire started about 1 mile north of Stinnett, Texas on February 26th, 2024. Three days later, the fire had consumed over 1 million acres. With a total area of 1,654 square miles, it became the largest fire on record in Texas. That's larger than New York's Long Island.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire started about 1 mile north of Stinnett, Texas on February 26th, 2024. Three days later, the fire had consumed over 1 million acres. With a total area of 1,654 square miles, it became the largest fire on record in Texas. That's larger than New York's Long Island.
![UAS Operations for Carbon Sequestration Research on Public Lands near Moab, Utah in May 2023 UAS operations near Moab, Utah for carbon sequestration research on public lands](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/2023_UT_Moab_UAS_browse.jpg?itok=upQw-8Aa)
In support of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Southwest Biological Science Center research, the USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) conducted uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) remote sensing flights near Moab, Utah in May 2023 for multi-scale carbon sequestration research on public lands.
In support of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Southwest Biological Science Center research, the USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) conducted uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) remote sensing flights near Moab, Utah in May 2023 for multi-scale carbon sequestration research on public lands.
![Image of the Week: A Warm February in Northern Minnesota A satellite image of a lake beside an image of the Earth, with text on top of the image](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/Northern%20Minnesota%20IOW%20thumbnail.png?itok=sIPXDaeV)
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) Satellite image of a white mass of clouds with circular dark spots with a title](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/Vortices2024.jpg?itok=D3cqSd0H)
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 Satellite image of land and coastline with text and logo on top](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/Australian%20fires%20IOW%20thumbnail.png?itok=XCHDHT70)
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 Photo of water and a dam with title in various colors on top, plus a fish illustration with a word bubble](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/GERD2023_thumbnail.jpg?itok=9AovaJTC)
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 Poster-type image of Earth in the background, an aerial image of land and a water tower with title/logo](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/IOW-Aerial-Image-Archive.jpg?itok=rjhEGQrc)
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.
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.
![Image of the Week: No Place for Flamingos on Fuente de Piedra Predominantly, an image of Earth, with a satellite image on the left side and text on top of the Earth image](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/IOW-Fuente-de-Piedra.jpg?itok=2C-ZJssN)
No Place for Flamingos on Fuente de Piedra.
Fuente de Piedra, a saltwater lagoon in southern Spain, is an important breeding site for thousands of flamingos. In 2023, the shallow wetland nearly completely dried up, leaving little space for the birds. Only a few dozen birds were seen on the lagoon this year, a situation that could impact tourism.
No Place for Flamingos on Fuente de Piedra.
Fuente de Piedra, a saltwater lagoon in southern Spain, is an important breeding site for thousands of flamingos. In 2023, the shallow wetland nearly completely dried up, leaving little space for the birds. Only a few dozen birds were seen on the lagoon this year, a situation that could impact tourism.
![USGS using drones to measure methane escaping Arctic permafrost - Aug 2023 Field crew sit on boardwalk while collecting UAS methane measurements in Alaska 2023](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/2023-07-31%20AK%20-%20UAS%20field%20crew%20sitting%20on%20boardwalk.jpg?itok=TuEN2zwO)
As permafrost soils in the Arctic warm and thaw, greenhouse gases including methane are released into the atmosphere. USGS Ecologist Kristen Manies of the USGS Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center (GMEGSC) is researching low-cost ways to measure methane emissions across these changing ecosystems.
As permafrost soils in the Arctic warm and thaw, greenhouse gases including methane are released into the atmosphere. USGS Ecologist Kristen Manies of the USGS Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center (GMEGSC) is researching low-cost ways to measure methane emissions across these changing ecosystems.
For 50 years, the people of EROS have overcome difficulties and celebrated triumphs together, always centered on providing a perspective of the Earth that helps us better understand its condition. This video, timed with the 50th anniversary celebration at EROS in August of 2023, explores the center's history.
For 50 years, the people of EROS have overcome difficulties and celebrated triumphs together, always centered on providing a perspective of the Earth that helps us better understand its condition. This video, timed with the 50th anniversary celebration at EROS in August of 2023, explores the center's history.
Landsat satellites move in a polar orbit from north to south at over 27,000 kilometers per hour. For the ten meter antenna at EROS, a typical flyover, also known as a pass, lasts 14 minutes from horizon to horizon.
Landsat satellites move in a polar orbit from north to south at over 27,000 kilometers per hour. For the ten meter antenna at EROS, a typical flyover, also known as a pass, lasts 14 minutes from horizon to horizon.
![Drone-based hyperspectral mapping of agricultural crop fields in California's Central Valley Drone image captured during almond field mapping in the Central Valley of California](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/2023-08-15%20CA%20Central%20Valley%20-%20UAS%20GoPro%20image%20captured%20during%20almond%20mapping%20flight.jpg?itok=ob1rI81B)
In August 2023, the USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) participated in a collaborative field campaign to collect remote sensing data over agricultural crop fields in California's Central Valley.
In August 2023, the USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) participated in a collaborative field campaign to collect remote sensing data over agricultural crop fields in California's Central Valley.
Smoke filled the skies over western Canada and even much of the United States in May 2023. The source was several wildfires in Alberta and British Columbia.
Near the end of May, rain and cooler temperatures finally brought some relief for the out-of-control fires.
Smoke filled the skies over western Canada and even much of the United States in May 2023. The source was several wildfires in Alberta and British Columbia.
Near the end of May, rain and cooler temperatures finally brought some relief for the out-of-control fires.
A winter of heavy rain causes flooding in California's Tulare Basin, threatening cropland. The basin was once the site of a large lake that appeared naturally every winter as rainfall and snowmelt from the nearby Sierra Nevada mountain range flowed down and filled the basin. It was even known as the largest lake west of the Mississippi River.
A winter of heavy rain causes flooding in California's Tulare Basin, threatening cropland. The basin was once the site of a large lake that appeared naturally every winter as rainfall and snowmelt from the nearby Sierra Nevada mountain range flowed down and filled the basin. It was even known as the largest lake west of the Mississippi River.
An iceberg the size of Houston broke from the Brunt Ice Shelf Antarctica on January 22nd, 2023. Landsat images show the area one day before the break and several days after. A feature named Chasm One had been lengthening for years, and it finally reached all the way across the shelf.
An iceberg the size of Houston broke from the Brunt Ice Shelf Antarctica on January 22nd, 2023. Landsat images show the area one day before the break and several days after. A feature named Chasm One had been lengthening for years, and it finally reached all the way across the shelf.
Cheyenne Bottoms is the largest inland wetland in the United States. Water normally diverts from rivers into the vast marshland. The wetland water level changes with precipitation and surface flows. For example, 2007 was a wet year. And 2013 was a dry year.
Cheyenne Bottoms is the largest inland wetland in the United States. Water normally diverts from rivers into the vast marshland. The wetland water level changes with precipitation and surface flows. For example, 2007 was a wet year. And 2013 was a dry year.
![Mapping biocrust with UAS technology in Moab, Utah Drone's eye view of a USGS remote pilot during a biocrust mission near Moab, UT](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/NUSO-MOABBiocrust-MattBurgess.jpg?itok=AOz0QSPS)
USGS researchers teamed up for a biological soil crust (biocrust) remote sensing and field data campaign near Moab, Utah in February of 2022.
USGS researchers teamed up for a biological soil crust (biocrust) remote sensing and field data campaign near Moab, Utah in February of 2022.
![Measuring natural methane emissions from bogs using drones in Alaska B-Roll UAS carrying the methane sensor (left) and a smaller UAS used to collect videos and photos (right) in Alaska](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/nuso_AKFairbanks_uas.jpg?itok=grPn_RTi)
Permafrost is ground that has been frozen for at least two years. With the warming climate, permafrost across Alaska is thawing and greenhouse gases such as methane are released as a result. Ecologist Kristen Manies of the U.S.
Permafrost is ground that has been frozen for at least two years. With the warming climate, permafrost across Alaska is thawing and greenhouse gases such as methane are released as a result. Ecologist Kristen Manies of the U.S.
The Landsat program conceived of in the 1960s, has been running longer than any remote sensing program. The idea was simple: position a satellite in a nearly polar orbit fixed to the solar angle so that each daytime pass would cross the equator at roughly the same local time.
The Landsat program conceived of in the 1960s, has been running longer than any remote sensing program. The idea was simple: position a satellite in a nearly polar orbit fixed to the solar angle so that each daytime pass would cross the equator at roughly the same local time.