Landsat 3’s first image features a slice of Northern California on March 7, 1978.
Landsat 3 Overview
March 14, 2022
Learn more about Landsat 3.
See first light images, significant events, and unique science.
See first light images, significant events, and unique science.
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.
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Landsat 3 First Light Image of San Jose
Landsat 3’s first image features a slice of Northern California on March 7, 1978.
Landsat 3 First Light Image of Northern California
One of Landsat 3’s first images, captured by the Multispectral Scanner (MSS) 4 days after launch, features a slice of Northern California on March 7, 1978. San Jose sits in Santa Clara Valley touching the southernmost portion of San Francisco. This image showcases the urbanization of the valley, which exploded in the 1970s as Silicon Valley grew.
One of Landsat 3’s first images, captured by the Multispectral Scanner (MSS) 4 days after launch, features a slice of Northern California on March 7, 1978. San Jose sits in Santa Clara Valley touching the southernmost portion of San Francisco. This image showcases the urbanization of the valley, which exploded in the 1970s as Silicon Valley grew.
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Landsat 3 First Light Image of San Jose
Landsat 3’s first image features a slice of Northern California on March 7, 1978.
Landsat 3’s first image features a slice of Northern California on March 7, 1978.
Landsat 3 First Light Image of Northern CaliforniaOne of Landsat 3’s first images, captured by the Multispectral Scanner (MSS) 4 days after launch, features a slice of Northern California on March 7, 1978. San Jose sits in Santa Clara Valley touching the southernmost portion of San Francisco. This image showcases the urbanization of the valley, which exploded in the 1970s as Silicon Valley grew.
One of Landsat 3’s first images, captured by the Multispectral Scanner (MSS) 4 days after launch, features a slice of Northern California on March 7, 1978. San Jose sits in Santa Clara Valley touching the southernmost portion of San Francisco. This image showcases the urbanization of the valley, which exploded in the 1970s as Silicon Valley grew.