Landsat Images Provide World of Opportunity

The US Geological Survey (USGS) announces the availability of some 2 million images of Earth collected through multiple stages of the Landsat mission, a collaboration between USGS and NASA, dating back to project initiation in 1972.

Landsat imagery forms the basis for the United States' contribution to the 80 nation Group on Earth Observation's (GEO) effort to generate the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). This comprehensive set of resources is being compiled to help assess and address a wide range of challenges and opportunities on regional and global scales. The GEO Web site explains:

"The Global Earth Observation System of Systems is simultaneously addressing nine areas of critical importance to people and society. It aims to empower the international community to protect itself against natural and human-induced disasters, understand the environmental sources of health hazards, manage energy resources, respond to climate change and its impacts, safeguard water resources, improve weather forecasts, manage ecosystems, promote sustainable agriculture and conserve biodiversity. GEOSS coordinates a multitude of complex and interrelated issues simultaneously. This cross-cutting approach avoids unnecessary duplication, encourages synergies between systems and ensures substantial economic, societal and environmental benefits."

In speaking recently to the GEO annual meeting, USGS director Macia McNutt underscores that these Landsat images are available to scientists and citizens alike. A USGS press release explains the availability in terms of feeding our interest and support all "who can use the information to contribute to a shared vision of the challenges facing our planet."

McNutt is quoted in the press release as underscoring the value of making these Landsat images widely and freely available:

“Our policy of providing free Landsat data supports a central GEO goal: to promote global distribution of earth observation data. With a continuous record of earth observation since 1972, Landsat provides the most complete set of land surface information as well as a vital historical perspective for researchers, decision makers, and commercial users around the world."

McNutt also added, "As the world’s increasing population is compelled to face the effects of climate change and the limitations of water, petroleum, and other vital resources, the broad availability of images from Landsat and other earth observation satellites benefits both developing and developed countries.”

Photo courtesy of NASA, via Wikimedia Commons