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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

New Tutorials Help Navigate Landsat Data in the Cloud

New Tutorials Help Navigate Landsat Data in the Cloud

USGS Reinvents Widely Used NLCD

USGS Reinvents Widely Used NLCD

USGS Releases New Products that Map Four Decades of Land Cover Change

USGS Releases New Products that Map Four Decades of Land Cover Change

Publications

Landsat geometric and radiometric calibration and characterization

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 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 continual
Authors
Jerad Shaw, Cody Anderson, Mike Choate, Esad Micijevic

ECCOE Landsat quarterly Calibration and Validation report—Quarter 1, 2024

Executive Summary The 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 Tea

Authors
Md Obaidul Haque, Md Nahid Hasan, Ashish Shrestha, Rajagopalan Rengarajan, Mark Lubke, Jerad L. Shaw, Kathryn Ruslander, Esad Micijevic, Michael J. Choate, Cody Anderson, Jeff Clauson, Kurt Thome, Julia Barsi, Ed Kaita, Raviv Levy, Jeff Miller, Leibo Ding

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

Science

link

Eyes on Earth Episode 126 – Annual NLCD

The next generation of USGS land cover mapping is here. Annual NLCD provides land cover data of the U.S. every year back to 1985.
Learn More

Eyes on Earth Episode 125 – The LANDFIRE Program at 20

LANDFIRE is a diverse product suite with countless uses that go beyond fire management. The program has now been providing this satellite data for 20 years.
link

Eyes on Earth Episode 125 – The LANDFIRE Program at 20

LANDFIRE is a diverse product suite with countless uses that go beyond fire management. The program has now been providing this satellite data for 20 years.
Learn More

Eyes on Earth Episode 124 – Mapping Fires in Utah

Studying forests means studying fire. Utah’s unique landscapes call for a unique dataset for forest management.
link

Eyes on Earth Episode 124 – Mapping Fires in Utah

Studying forests means studying fire. Utah’s unique landscapes call for a unique dataset for forest management.
Learn More

Multimedia

Landsat SpatioTemporal Asset Catalog with PySTAC Query Example
Landsat SpatioTemporal Asset Catalog PySTAC Query Example
Landsat SpatioTemporal Asset Catalog PySTAC Query Example
A graphic showing the cumulative download volume of Landsat products
Landsat Product Downloads by Volume
Landsat Product Downloads by Volume
Graph of Landsat L1 Products Available in EarthExplorer
Available Landsat Level-1 Products
Available Landsat Level-1 Products
Graphic showing the available Landsat Level-2 science Products
Available Landsat Level-2 Science Products
Available Landsat Level-2 Science Products
Primary uses of Landsat Data Unique Users
Primary uses of Landsat Data by Unique Users
Primary uses of Landsat Data by Unique Users
Primary Uses of Landsat Data by Volume
Primary Uses of Landsat Data by Volume
Primary Uses of Landsat Data by Volume
Animation of Landsat 7 Images of Las Vegas, 1999-2024
Landsat 7 Images of Las Vegas, 1999-2024
Landsat 7 Images of Las Vegas, 1999-2024
Thumbnail image for Eyes on Earth Episode 124 – Mapping Fires in Utah, showing a photo of Jim Lutz
Eyes on Earth Episode 124 – Mapping Fires in Utah
Eyes on Earth Episode 124 – Mapping Fires in Utah
Number of Landsat Citations
Landsat Citations
Landsat Citations
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