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Landsat 4 was launched on July 16, 1982, with joint control of the program by NOAA, NASA, and the U.S. Geological Survey. Each federal agency took on a different role.

Although only two Landsats were originally anticipated, the program’s principal scientists sought to launch a third satellite for continued coverage because they found a wide variety of applications for the data. There was also interest in advancing the sensors and improving the data.

After launch in 1975, Landsat 2 began to collect remote sensing data. Outliving its one-year design, Landsat 2 achieved seven years of operation. With two Landsats in orbit, scientists gleaned additional views of the planet.

With this uninterrupted data, the record of the Earth's land surface could always be recorded, allowing for reliable imaging for scientists, policy makers, and land managers.

This year was huge for the Landsat Program. Here are three major Landsat events from 2021. Use the map to explore the stories we've shared with you this year.

Landsatlook visualization client enables users rapid online viewing and create dynamic custom mosaics from scenes within the Landsat archive for an area of interest. Allows users to customize their mosaic using three band combinations, select spectral indices and quality assessment band filtering.  

The USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center Science Processing Architecture (ESPA) On-Demand Interface is used to request processing and services for Landsat Science Products and MODIS products. 

The EarthNow! Landsat Image Viewer displays imagery in near real-time as Landsat satellites orbit the Earth. Along with the near real-time video stream, EarthNow! also replays acquisition recordings from previous Landsat overpasses. When Landsat satellites are out of viewing range of a ground station, the most recent overpass is displayed.

The USGS Global Visualization Viewer (GloVis) is an online search and order tool for selected remote sensing data.  

The Hazards Data Distribution System (HDDSExplorer) is an event-based interface that provides a single point-of-entry for access to remotely sensed imagery and other geospatial datasets as they become available during a response.