Landsat 8, the latest satellite addition to the Earth’s observation system, recently received the ‘all clear’ to begin its 5-year mission recording global coverage of the landscape. And scientists around the world are breathing a collective sigh of relief.
For 41 years, Landsat data has provided insight into natural processes, such as glacial retreat and forest fires, as well as the impact of human activities like urban sprawl, agriculture, and forest clearing. But aging satellites threatened to put gaps in this essential record. And if Landsat 8’s deployment had failed, there was no standby waiting in the wings.
Thankfully, Landsat 8 achieved orbit, where it joins Landsat 7. Together they will circle the Earth, transmitting pictures of its surface for public use. Landsat’s resolution is about 30 feet, which means that you can’t see individual people or houses. But it’s perfect for studying how the Earth works and how humans are affecting resources like forests and oceans.
Prior Landsat images showed the drying of the Aral Sea in Russia as a result of water diversion. Landsat images are a ‘truth check’ on rates of tropical deforestation reported by countries worldwide. And scientists have relied on Landsat data to see regional trends in plant growth as a result of changes in land use and climate. Forecasts of crop yields help inform the commodities markets for corn, wheat, and soybeans.
Having the right tools to monitor the health of our planet is important to our ability to respond to its ongoing changes, make the right decisions, and check local field data against the broad view from high altitude.
**********
Web Links
Landsat 8 (LDCM) History
http://landsat.usgs.gov/about_ldcm.php
Photo courtesy of DLR German Aerospace Center via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Support for Earth Wise comes from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY.