A lot can change in five decades! How we talk, what we wear – it all evolves. But one thing that’s stayed consistent is our unique view of our home planet from above. Five decades ago, we at NASA partnered with United States Geological Survey (USGS) to launch a satellite called Landsat to see Earth from space. Now, we’re launching Landsat 9 – that’s right, the ninth in the series!
Join us for a road trip through the decades from the idea of an Earth-imaging satellite in the groovy 60s to the launch of Landsat 9 this year. Hop in!
Far out! In 1966, USGS proposed a satellite to image land all around our planet. Researchers worked with our scientists and engineers to design the satellite and figure out how it would work.
Here’s the lowdown: In 1970, we got approval to build the Earth Resources Technology Satellite, later renamed Landsat 1. The satellite launched in 1972 and provided the first digital data of Earth, repeated at regular intervals, which allows us to see changes as they happen.
In 1982, we launched Landsat 4, followed by Landsat 5 in 1984. These two satellites collected more wavelengths of light at higher precision, allowing for natural color images, which is totally radical, dude.
Wasssup, 1990s? Landsat 7 launched this decade, collecting even more data than previous Landsat satellites, enough to produce the first hi-res natural color map of remote Antarctica.
In 2008, our partners at USGS made all Landsat data available for free. This gave peeps around the world access to all the data they needed, unlocking innovation and creating economic benefits, like the ability to track crop health from space. Sweet!
In 2013, Landsat 8 began the modern era of Landsat observations. A new style of sensor and ground system made it possible to download much more and better data than ever before. Plus, a partnership with European Space Agency’s Sentinel-2 satellites gives even more regular observations. We heart that!
Now, we’re set to launch Landsat 9, a twin to Landsat 8. Two Landsat satellites with two instruments each will highkey change our view of Earth once again.
Now, on to the next 50 years of Earth observations! Stay tuned to watch Landsat 9 launch and start telling us even more about our home planet.
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It’s here! My first children’s book for ages 4-7 is available on Amazon. “Mission, GO!” by Johnathan Brackett is available in Kindle form or paperback. Thanks to friends and family for the encouragement. #space #astronaut #stem #steam #spaceflight #iss #internationalspacestation https://www.instagram.com/p/CJJXR_njF53/?igshid=1gqq80oafbo1b
Got my boarding pass! Stay tuned for an exciting week coming up. Shane Kimbrough, who graduated from The Lovett School and Georgia Tech, will be going to space for the third time. He will also be flying in his third type of spacecraft! He has flown in the Space Shuttle, and a Soyuz capsule. This time, he will be riding a Space-X Dragon to the ISS. . . . . #nasa #iss #internationalspacestation #crew2 #dragon #spacex #spacexdragon https://www.instagram.com/p/CNwBb46DZVL/?igshid=1gj6rezp2dk7w
I was honored to be selected as a judge for this contest. A young man named Alexander Mather from Virginia chose the name “Perseverance” and wrote the winning essay. Perseverance is scheduled to launch to Mars this July. @nasa @nasajpl #nasa #mars #marsrover #space #perseverance #mars2020 https://www.instagram.com/p/CBS-LPVH6tj/?igshid=1pzag6xydhku4
First steps! Looking forward to contributing to the NASA Psyche Mission in the future! @nasapsyche #nasa #nasapsyche #space #asteroid #arizonastateuniversity #nasajpl https://www.instagram.com/p/B--pjChHW8Q/?igshid=o2p8g1zredsy
Fun at the planetarium! #nasa #apollo #fernbanksciencecenter #planetarium (at Fernbank Science Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwgEmyiniBB/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=es8gly4u1kla
I had a wonderful time talking about human space flight to 3rd Graders at Starling Elementary today! The kids were very knowledgeable and had fantastic questions! I love the reaction I get when I tell my two “Gemini Astronauts” they have to sit next to each other and not shower for two weeks! Everybody: “EEEEWWWWWWW!!!” #stemeducation #STEM #NASA #ArtemisGeneration #Artemis #SolarSystemAmbassador #Orion #sls #spaceflight #gwinnettcounty #gwinnettcountyschools #graysongeorgia #wearegoing #explorepage #space https://www.instagram.com/p/CmLF0wZuxw8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
Copernicus (upper left), FRA MAURO (mid left), and the Ptolemaeus Crater Trio (mid right). #space #moon #astronomy #celestron #celestron127slt https://www.instagram.com/p/B5E6us7HZQ-/?igshid=1hkq6pe7icfrk
If you have children interested in space, check out my two books available on Amazon. “MISSION, GO!” is for appropriate for readers 3-7 and explains what it takes for a manned space mission. “Hello Luna, It’s Me Again” is for all ages, and is just a collection of thoughts along with images of the Moon from my backyard telescope. . . . . . #explorepage #nasa #celestrontelescope #childrensbooks #space #solarsystem #moon #spaceflight https://www.instagram.com/p/CfeFKweOfs8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
I host public outreach events about the science and research taking place everyday on the International Space Station. A favorite event of mine is called "Story Time From Space", where astronauts onboard the ISS read children's stories featuring space science and STEM topics. (Opinions are my own.)
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