Image resolutions for ERTS, SKYLAB and GEMINI/APOLLO

Early in 1972 the first Earth Resource Technology Satellite (ERTS-A) is scheduled for launch in near-polar orbit. It will carry three return-beam-vidicon (RBV) TB cameras and a multispectral scanner (MSS).

In 1973 a post-Apollo manned space flight called SKYLAB will orbit the earth at an inclination of 50° to the Equator. In addition to other sensors it will carry a battery of six multispectral cameras identified as experiment S190.

This paper compares the images expected from ERTS and SKYLAB with those already obtained from GEMINI/APOLLO, all in terms of the photographic criterion of resolution. Recently provided data have led to several changes in the resolution of ERTS-A forecast a year ago (Colvocoresses, 1970).