Comparing Landsat 2 MSS and Landsat 3 RBV

This mosaic displays a Landsat 2 Multispectral Scanner (MSS) image acquired on June 25, 1980 (top) and a Landsat 3 Return Beam Vidicon (RBV) image acquired on July 5, 1980.  

The Landsat Return Beam Vidicon (RBV) was an early Earth-imaging system on Landsats 1, 2, and 3, and used TV-like cameras to capture images. The RBV was originally intended as the main sensor on Landsat 1, but failed early in the mission. Landsat 3's redesigned RBV offered higher resolution but suffered from noise and distortions. Its data was primarily stored on film and valuable for historical mapping despite technical issues.

Visit this Earthshots page to learn more about RBV.