Core Science Systems

Map of 3D Elevation Program FY21 Partnerships as of September 30, 2021

This map of the United States and its territories shows geographic extent of existing and in-progress 3DEP data acquisition projects. FY21 projects are the result of partnership projects awarded through the FY21 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) and through on-going

Landsat 9 Launch from Vandenberg: 3 Views

Three views of the Landsat 9 launch on September 27, 2021. Liftoff of the Atlas V rocket took place at 11:12 local time from Vandenberg Space Force Base near Lompoc, California. Mild fog and the "marine layer" of clouds cleared just enough to see the first 10 seconds of flight from 4 miles away at the OS-45 viewing area (

Landsat 9 is a partnership between NASA and USGS. The satellite will continue the Landsat program’s mission to capture repeat snapshots of Earth to monitor, understand and manage natural resources.

Landsat 9 launched into orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Monday, September 27, 2021, to carry on the legacy of a nearly 50-year record of continuous Earth observation that began in 1972. The days leading up to the event saw guests from around the world descend upon Santa Barbara County in California to watch the historic event take place. Over the next few weeks,

When #Landsat9 is launched from Lompoc, CA, a ULA Atlas V booster will lift it out over the Pacific Ocean, over 2,500 miles away in the first 15 minutes, rising quickly. If all goes as expected, about an hour later Landsat 9 will be in orbit, 438 miles high, falling around the Earth at 16,760 miles per hour, positioned to capture years of imagery.

The Landsat

[Audio Descriptions]
A short look back at the the history of Landsat launches through the historic articles of the Lompoc Record publication.

View non-AD version.

A short look back at the the history of Landsat launches through the historic articles of the Lompoc Record publication.

View AD version.

Social scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Fort Collins Science Center – in collaboration with the USGS National Land Imaging Program – conduct Earth observation user case studies using qualitative research methods. Using standard scientific methods, they are better able to understand the variety of Earth observation users, including how they use and value

Landsat satellites acquire useful data on wildfires around the world. Their near infrared and shortwave infrared imaging allows for detection and mapping of fire, smoke, and burn scars often in remote areas.

In California: the Dixie Fire near Lake Almanor and the Caldor Fire near Lake Tahoe.

In Israel: over 6,000 acres in the Jerusalem Hills just west of

This graphic displays the activities that start as soon as the Landsat 9 satellite is launched. During the 100-day commissioning phase, NASA monitors all aspects of the spacecraft as it travels towards its final orbit height of 705 km (438 mi.) above the Earth. Spacecraft calibration and maneuvers are conducted and verified throughout the commissioning phase to ensure that

The remnants of Hurricane Ida dumped several inches of rain on eastern Pennsylvania.

These Landsat images show the Schuylkill River west of Philadelphia where muddied waters rose in several communities.

This image from August 26th shows typical river levels in the Phoenixville area.

A USGS stream gauge in Philadelphia exceeded flood stage levels by