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August 31, 2023

The USGS Landsat International Cooperator Network, in coordination with the Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) and the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA), met for the Landsat Ground Station Operators Working Group (LGSOWG) #51 meeting in Tromsø and Svalbard, Norway during the first week of August. 

Around 40 participants representing 9 organizations and 15 countries gathered in Tromsø to convene on a variety of topics related to the Landsat program and satellite ground station operations. USGS personnel briefed on the operational status of the Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 missions, on-orbit instrument performance, and Landsat data processing, distribution and access. Participants heard from each organization in attendance about on-going ground station activities, and current and future mission plans.

Throughout the week, special discussion panels took place, during which attendees asked subject matter experts from various organizations about a variety of topics including Landsat Next, future ground station architecture and enhancements, and future cloud data access and distribution. 

Attendees of the Landsat Ground Station LGSOWG #51 meeting.
Attendees of the Landsat Ground Station Operators Working Group (LGSOWG) #51 meeting in Tromsø, Norway. 

The meeting culminated with a visit to the KSAT satellite ground receiving station in Svalbard, Norway, a Norwegian archipelago located between mainland Norway and the North Pole. The uniquely located ground station, located just outside of Longyearbyen (a town of approximately 2,400), plays an integral role in the Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 missions as a Landsat Ground Network Station, while also serving many other polar orbiting satellite missions. Meeting participants had the unique opportunity to visit the station and learn more about KSAT’s operations and role as a Landsat Ground Network Station.  

LGSOWG 51 attendees in Svalbard
This photo of the LGSOWG 51 attendees was taken at the Norwegian ground station in Svalbard in August 2023. 

The Landsat International Cooperator Network will next meet for the 32nd Landsat Technical Working Group (LTWG #32) in Cape Canaveral, Florida in February 2024. 

 

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