Landsat Thematic Mapper Imagery
Entry ID:
Landsat_TM
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Summary
Abstract:
The idea of a civilian Earth resources satellite was conceived in the Department of Interior in the mid-1960s. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) embarked on an initiative to develop and launch the first Earth monitoring satellite to meet the needs of resource managers and Earth scientists. The USGS entered into a ... partnership with NASA in the early 1970s to assume responsibility for
the archive management and distribution of Landsat data products. On
July 23, 1972, NASA launched the first in a series of satellites
designed to provide repetitive global coverage of the Earth's land
masses. Designated initially as the Earth Resources Technology
Satellite-A (ERTS-A), it used a Nimbus-type platform that was modified
to carry sensor systems and data relay equipment. When operational orbit was
achieved, it was designated ERTS-1. The second in this series of Earth
resources satellites (designated ERTS-B) was launched January 22, 1975. It was
renamed Landsat 2 by NASA, which also renamed ERTS-1 to Landsat 1. Three
additional Landsats were launched in 1978, 1982, and 1984 (Landsats 3, 4, and
5 respectively). Each successive satellite had improved sensor and
communications capabilities. NASA was responsible for operation of the Landsats
until the early 1980s. In January 1983 operations of the Landsat system were
transferred to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Landsat
system was commercialized in 1985 and became the property of Space Imaging
EOSAT (later, Space Imaging) who maintained responsibility until July 1, 200l
when control was returned to the federal government. 
Purpose:
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has managed the Landsat data archive since the launch of Landsat 1. This archive provides a rich collection of information about the Earth's land surface. Major characteristics and changes to the surface of the planet can be detected, measured, and analyzed using Landsat data. The effects of desertification, deforestation, pollution, ... cataclysmic
volcanic activity, and other natural and anthropogenic events can be examined
using data acquired from the Landsat series of Earth-observing satellites. The
information obtainable from the historical and current Landsat data play a key
role in studying changes to the Earths surface. Landsat data have been used by
government, commercial, industrial, civilian, and educational communities in
the U.S. and worldwide. They are being used to support a wide range of
applications in such areas as global change research, agriculture, forestry,
geology, resources management, geography, mapping, water quality, and
oceanography. The types of changes that can be identified include agricultural
development, deforestation, natural disasters, urbanization, and the
development and degradation of water resources.
Supplemental_Information:
Landsat data are available from the USGS. In addition to its Landsat
data management responsibility, the USGS investigates new methods of
characterizing and studying changes on the land surface with Landsat
data.
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Description:
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Description:
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Geographic Coverage
(Click for Interactive Map)
Spatial coordinates
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N: 82.66
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S: -82.67
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E: 180.0
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W: -180.0
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Data Set Citation
Dataset Originator/Creator:
U.S. Geological Survey
Dataset Title:
Thematic Mapper (Landsat 4-5)
Dataset Release Date:
1982-07-16
Dataset Release Place:
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
Dataset Publisher:
U.S. Geological Survey
Data Presentation Form:
Remote Sensing Image
Online Resource:
http://earthexplorer.usgs.gov
Temporal Coverage
Start Date:
1982-07-16
Stop Date:
2011-11-18
Quality
Activities included in this study were excavation, strain of sediments, sample
selection, cleaning, restoration, conservation, identification, classification.
Access Constraints
Data are not publicly available. Please contact data center for more
information.
Use Constraints
Data are not publicly available for use. Please contact data center for more
information.
Data Set Progress
IN WORK
Personnel
Role:
DIF AUTHOR
Phone:
56-61-298100
Fax:
56-61-298149
Email:
pvicuna at inach.cl
City:
Punta Arenas
Country:
Chile
Role:
INVESTIGATOR
Role:
TECHNICAL CONTACT
Phone:
2263571
Email:
rstehberg at mnhn.cl
City:
Santiago
Country:
Chile
Creation and Review Dates
DIF Creation Date:
2005-03-22
Last DIF Revision Date:
2012-10-15
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