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ERTS-1, a new window on our planet

January 1, 1976

The launch, on July 23, 1972, of the first Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-1) by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration was a major step forward in extending man 's ability to inventory the Earth 's resources and to evaluate objectively his impact upon the environment. ERTS spacecraft represent the first step in merging space and remote-sensing technologies into a system for inventorying and managing the Earth 's resources. Examples presented in this book demonstrate ERTS ' vast potential for inventorying resources, monitoring environmental conditions, and measuring changes. Such information is essential for the full evaluation of the Federal lands and determining their future use, as well as for improved planning of overall land use throughout the United States and the world. Ten bureaus of the U.S. Department of Interior have roles in the ERTS project. Nearly all of these participating bureaus are represented in almost 100 papers included in this book. Chapter 3 is entitled ' Applications to Water Resources ' and contains 23 separate sections. (Woodard-USGS)

Publication Year 1976
Title ERTS-1, a new window on our planet
DOI 10.3133/pp929
Authors Richard S. Williams, William Douglas Carter
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Professional Paper
Series Number 929
Index ID pp929
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center
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