Landsat 9 Data Released...

by Tahsin Yomralıoğlu | Mar 31, 2022
The Landsat program is the longest running space imagery program, with satellites in operation since 1972. Through the decades, the imagery program, originally designed to study Earth’s landmasses, has now made contributions to a number of fields, ranging from the natural to the social sciences.

The Landsat program is the longest running space imagery program, with satellites in operation since 1972. Through the decades, the imagery program, originally designed to study Earth’s landmasses, has now made contributions to a number of fields, ranging from the natural to the social sciences.

Landsat 9 Data

Starting from February 10, 2022, Landsat 9 data was made publicly available through the United States Geological Survey (USGS), which is co-supporting Landsat 9 with NASA.

Landsat 9 is the latest satellite to bear the Landsat name; the satellite was launched in September 2021 and has now become fully operational after undergoing some initial tests.

The USGS will now make available Level 1 and Level 2 data from Landsat 9, that is uncorrected and corrected atmospheric data and surface temperature data.

 

There are two main instruments carried by Landsat 9, which are the Operational Land Imager 2 (OLI-2) and the Thermal Infrared Sensor 2 (TIRS-2). The OLI–2 is used to capture visible, near-infrared, and shortwave-infrared bands at 30-m resolution. TIRS-2 measures thermal infrared radiation from the Earth’s surface, with the panchromatic band measuring features at 15 m resolution. The radiometric resolution in the OLI-2 instrument is also of superior quality over Landsat 8 (14-bit quantization vs. 12-bit), which enables a broader range of potential feature detection.[1] 

False color satellite image of Anchorage, Alaska .
False color image of Anchorage, Alaska acquired by Landsat 9 on November 20, 2021. This composite satellite image was created by combining infrared, red, and blue wavelengths. Image: USGS, Landsat 9, public domain.
 

The goal of Landsat 9 is to provide resource management and climate science information, including on land surface, coastal waters, and surface water data. While Landsat 9 will provide new Level 1 and 2 imagery, the data can also be used in tandem with the ongoing Landsat 8 program so that regions are covered every 8 days of satellite orbit.[2]

Multi-decadal Earth Observation Data

One of the benefits of the now 50-year record of Earth observation through the Landsat program is we now have decadal-scale data capture demonstrating climate and human-induced change across the Earth. The long-lived data allow measurements on how rapidly our planet is changing in a manner not previously possible.

Governments and aid agencies have been able to utilize Landsat data to monitor areas for change or document areas that need the most assistance due to natural or human-induced changes.[3]

 
Two side-by-side satellite image products. The image on the left shows Landsat surface reflectance product. The image on the right was created with Landsat 9's Landsat surface temperature product.
Landsat 9 images of Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano from January 25, 2022. The image on the left shows Landsat surface reflectance product. The image on the right was created with Landsat 9’s Landsat surface temperature product (temperatures measured in Kelvin). Images: Michelle Bouchard, USGS, public domain.
 

While long-term monitoring of environmental change is perhaps among the most well-known benefits of the Landsat program, there are many others. Disciplines and stakeholders as diverse as agriculture, forestry, urban science, human health, natural resources management, public safety, homeland security, climate research, and others have been able to benefit from Landsat data.

As an example, imagery from 2011 was able to document disasters affecting over 200 million people, showing broad landscape views of regions and impacts on them from different events such as fire or severe storms using infrared and natural light.[4] 

In another stakeholder area, water scarcity has increasingly become a problem for nearly 1.8 billion people. Landsat imagery has been used to document this change and enable conservation plans to mitigate rapidly diminishing resources.[5]

Users of Landsat Data

The Landsat program has provided both free and commercial data now for more multiple decades. Popular platforms such as Google Earth or individual research scientists have utilized its data. Landsat has also been an influential program, with many commercial satellites and those sponsored by other agencies, such as the European Space Agency, developing systems that often are compared or based on Landsat systems.

 

The greatest percentage of Landsat data users are scientists (48%), agricultural specialists (23%), and resource managers (13%). In just four years (2016-2020), downloads doubled between 50 million to 100 million scene downloads.

While the future of the Landsat program is unclear, there are already scoping plans for Landsat 10, which can take the program well into this century with more Earth observation data collection. Potential changes to future satellite systems include increase image resolution, providing greater image captured per day, reducing the time between images for locations, increase the depth and variety of infrared frequencies, or improving on the overall satellite design (e.g., develop smaller or adaptable satellites).[6]

The Landsat program is perhaps the most successful imaging program in human history. It has also evolved to become critical to a variety of stakeholders and research endeavors. As the program continues, the long-lived data help to document our changing planet as we also plan to develop more resilient natural systems.

 

The Landsat program will likely continue to be needed in the future and recognizing this, the USGS and NASA have made Landsat 9, as well as earlier Landsat data, available for researchers.

References

[1]    More background data on specifications on Landsat 9 can be seen here:  Micijevic, E.; Haque, Md.O.; Scaramuzza, P.; Storey, J.; Anderson, C.; Markham, B. Landsat 9 Pre-Launch Sensor Characterization and Comparison with Landsat 8 Results. In Proceedings of the Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XXIII; Neeck, S.P., Kimura, T., Martimort, P., Eds.; SPIE: Strasbourg, France, October 10 2019; p. 51.

[2]    For more on Landsat 9, including the characteristics of the satellite and data availability, see: https://www.usgs.gov/news/technical-announcement/usgs-opens-door-landsat-9-data.

[3]    For a review of the Landsat program and application benefits, see: Wulder, M.A.; Loveland, T.R.; Roy, D.P.; Crawford, C.J.; Masek, J.G.; Woodcock, C.E.; Allen, R.G.; Anderson, M.C.; Belward, A.S.; Cohen, W.B.; et al. Current Status of Landsat Program, Science, and Applications. Remote Sensing of Environment 2019, 225, 127–147, doi:10.1016/j.rse.2019.02.015.

[4]    For more on natural disasters mapped by Landsat and the benefits it has provided, see: https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/benefits/disasters/.

[5]    For more on how Landsat has been used in the areas of water, see:  https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/benefits/water/.

[6]    For a report on the Landsat program and its potential application in the future, see:  https://sgp.fas.org/crs/space/R46560.pdf.

2 comments

Leave a comment
  1. Phyllis | Ara 08, 2022
    Jordan Wholesale DistributorsCheap Moncler CoatsAir Jordan 1 DiorNike Snkrs CanadaPandora JewelryBalenciagaOutlet MonclerNike Outlet Store Online ShoppingAir Jordan 1Pandora OutletAsics KayanoPandora StorePandoraWholesale JordanJordan SneakersWomen Nike ShoesJordan OneJordan 1 MidNike Shoes WomenPandora Charm BraceletNike Outlet Store Online ShoppingTriple S BalenciagaCheap MonclerGoyard HandbagsNike StoreBest Nike Running ShoesNike Sneakers For WomenPandora JewelleryPandora JewelryPandora Jewelry Official SitePandora Jewelry Official SiteAsicsNike StoreMoncler CoatNike UKPandora OutletPandora CanadaNikePandora Bracelets ClearanceJordan 5Jordan 1 LowsPandora BraceletPandoraMonclerCheap Adidas ShoesBalenciaga SneakersPandora JewelryPandora CharmsAir MaxPandora Jewelry Official SitePandora Charms SalePandora CharmAir Jordan ShoesPandora Bracelet CharmsPandora Jewelry OutletJordan 1 Retro HighPandora JewelryPandora CharmsPandoraAdidas OutletMoncler CoatsAsics Running ShoesNike ShoesNike Shoes MenNike Shoes CanadaPandoraJordans 1Pandora JewelryNew Nike ShoesNike CanadaJordan 1 RetroCheap Basketball ShoesNike Air Max 270 Women'sAir Jordan 1Nike ShoesBalenciaga ShoesPandora JewelryPuma StoreNike ShoesNike Outlet OnlineAdidas SneakersPandora OutletAdidas Running Shoes For MenBalenciaga ShoesPandora RingsFerragamo BeltAir JordanPandora JewelryNike StoreNike Air Jordans 1Asics Shoes WomenPandora Bracelets CharmsPandora RingsPandora Charms OutletBalenciagasAir Jordan 1 RetroAdidas ClearanceNike Air Jordan 1Wholesale JordanSalvatore Ferragamo ShoesPandora JewelryPandora CharmsYeezy ShoesAsics Outlet OnlineBalenciagaMoncler Jackets OutletWholesale Air JordansPandora Jewelry Official SiteAdidas Shoes CanadaYeezy ShoesPandoraPandora Charms OutletPandora JewelryPandora Jewelry OutletJordan 1 LowGoyard Bags OutletAdidas Shoes MenPandora CharmsCharms PandoraJordan 1'sFerragamo Shoes MenPandora JewelryAir Max 97PandoraAdidas WebsitePandora Outlet OnlinePandora Jewelry Official SitePandora Jewelry Official SiteAir Max 270MonclerAsics SneakersPandoraPandora CharmAdidas Shoes For WomenPandora Jewelry Official SiteMoncler JacketPandora JewelryPandora JewelryFerragamo BeltPandora CharmsAdidas Shoes CanadaAir Jordan 1Nike Sneakers For MenMoncler Outlet OnlineAdidas NMDAdidas TrainersJordan Retro 1PandoraPandora Jewelry OutletMen's Nike ShoesMoncler Coats For WomenMoncler Jackets MenFerragamo BeltNike JordansAsics ShoesPandora JewelryPandora Outlet
  2. William | Oca 06, 2023
    Pandora Bracelet CharmsJordan Retro 11Jordan 4Jordan 32Pandora Jewelry Official SiteJordan 16Air Jordan 11 RetroNike Outlet StorePandora Jewelry CharmsAir Force 1Air Jordan 17Jordan 33Jordan 18Nike Running Shoes WomenNike Factory Outlet Store OnlinePandora JewelryJordan 31Cheap Jordan ShoesNike Air Max 97 UltraWholesale AdidasPandora Jewelry Official SiteJordan 11 LowPandora CharmsToddler JordanNike Shoes For MenNike BlazersNike Running Shoes For MenRed BottomsChristian Louboutin ShoesHuaracheNew JordanJordan 1Pandora RingsNike Shoes WholesaleNike Free RunAir MaxJordans WholesaleNike Outlet Store Online ShoppingNike Air Max 95Nike Air MaxAir Jordan 13Lebron James ShoesJordans 29Jordan RetroJordan 5 What TheAir Jordan 23Air MaxChristian Louboutin ShoesNike Zoom Pegasus 35Nike OutletYeezy Boost 350 V2Jordan AJ 1Nike ShoesNike RosheNFL ShopNike Outlet StoreNike Air Force 1Jordan 24Nike WholesaleNike OutletAdidas YeezyAir Jordan 33Jordan 25Jordan 34Nike Air Force 1 MenNike ShoxNike Shoes SaleAir Max 95Nike JordanRetro 12Cheap Jerseys WholesalePandora Charms Sale ClearancePandora CharmNike Air Force OnesNike Air Max 270Nike Free RunNike Air FoampositePandora RingsAir Jordan 12Air MaxMichael Jordan ShoesWholesale ClothingSoccer JerseysNike Air Max 720Nike ShoesAdidas Factory OutletNHL ShopJordan 11Nike UptempoPandora CharmsNike Outlet OnlineCheap Jordan 12Jordans 30Pandora BraceletNike Air Max 270Nike Air FoampositeDior JordansPandora JewelryWholesale JordansJordan 2sWholesale Nike Shoes ChinaJordans 22Jordan 19Pandora OutletHuaracheKids JordansJordans 20Nike Zoom PulsePandora BraceletsCheap NikesMLB ShopNike Outlet StoreJordan ShoesNHL StoreAir Jordan 33Nike Jordan 1Nikes ShoesNike WomensNike Black Friday DealsNike SneakersJordan 35Nike ShoesNike Air Max 720NBA Store CanadaNike OutletNike Wholesale SuppliersCheap Nike ShoesAir JordanNike SBAdidas NMDNike HuarachePandora JewelryAir Jordan 27Jordan 14Off White NikeCheap Adidas ShoesWholesale Jordans From China FactoryPandora JewelryJordan 6sNikeNike OutletJordans 12Cheap Adidas ShoesNike ShoesJordan 21Cheap JordansNike Clearance StoreJordan 28Air Jordan 26Jordans 13PandoraNike ShoesAdidas Wholesale ChinaPandora JewelryPandora JewelryJordan 15Pandora Jewelry Official SiteNike OutletNike Air Force 1sNike Outlet

    Leave a comment