Slashgeo Log In
Landsat Data Continuity Mission Update
posted by Satri
on Monday October 29, @02:53PM
Permalink
Trackback URI
Slashdotthis
Diggthis
Del.icio.us
from the help-us-save-continuity dept.
Permalink
Trackback URI
Slashdotthis
Diggthis
Del.icio.us
from the help-us-save-continuity dept.
Last week ago we told you about Landsat-5 problems, Very Spatial links to a NASA update on the Landsat Data Continuity Mission. This topic was discussed a few times before (see previous stories below). The article's introduction: "In a world newly awash with geospatial information, only Landsat offers a rich archive of global mid-resolution, highly calibrated, multispectral data of Earth’s landmasses. To extend this legacy, plans are in the works for a July 2011 launch of the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM), which will collect and archive data consistent with its predecessor Landsat satellites. This July, NASA selected Ball Aerospace and Technology Corporation to build LDCM’s Operational Land Imager (OLI) instrument, bringing the long-awaited Landsat follow-on mission closer to actualization."
Related Stories
Landsat Data Continuity Mission and Landsat-8
[+]
All Points Blog tells us about the good news, Landsat-8 should be launched in 2010. From the Government Computer News: "One of the programs slated for an increase is the Geological Survey’s Landsat Data Continuity Mission, which would receive an additional $16 million to build a system to process data from the Landsat 8 satellite set to be launched in 2010."
Industry: Serious Trouble for NASA Satellites Plans
[+]
Slashdot links to an CNN/AP article about budget cuts seriously affecting NASA satellites plans. From the article: "Since that report came out, NASA has chosen to cancel or mothball at least three planned satellites in an effort to save money. Cost overruns have delayed a new generation of weather satellites until at least 2010 and probably 2012, leading a Government Accountability Office official to label the enterprise "a program in crisis."" Informative article, even if alarmist. The Landsat and EOS programs are also discussed.
Industry: Plan for a National Land Imaging Program
[+]
From the August 30th GIS Monitor newsletter from Reed Business Geo, Inc.
The full article is available here: www.gismonitor.com. Update: 09/04 16:07 GMT by S : Sorry, this is a duplicate story covered three weeks ago.The U.S. Landsat program has a 35-year history of providing indispensable land-imaging data. Yet, no U.S. government agency has ever had the responsibility to plan, budget, and be accountable for the continuation of this capability. Now, to fill this gap in management and leadership and provide for long-term continuity of moderate-resolution, multi-spectral land imaging for the United States, a report by the Future of Land Imaging Interagency Working Group (FLI-IWG), A Plan For A U.S. National Land Imaging Program, recommends the establishment of a National Land Imaging Program (NLIP) led by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The establishment of the NLIP would not require Congressional action."
Landsat-5 Experiencing Problems - Imaging Suspended 1 comment
[+]
The EOPortal informs us that Landsat 5 is experiencing problems. Not much info on this yet: "On October 6, 2007, Landsat 5 experienced an issue with its onboard batteries, leading to concerns about power balance. Imaging will be suspended while the flight operations team analyzes the problem. The Landsat team expects the investigation will last from 2 to 3 weeks. Further announcements will be made as needed." This is not the first time Landsat-5 technical problems occur.
Landsat-5 Resumes Operations... Again
[+]
VerySpatial informs us that despite several recent troubles, Landsat-5 is resuming operations. Last October troubles have been circumvented but the need for a Landsat Data Continuity Mission is obviously still relevant. From the USGS announcement: "The USGS is pleased to announce that Landsat 5 resumed imaging on January 10, 2008. Landsat 5 imaging was suspended on October 6, 2007 due to a battery cell failure with one of its two working batteries. [...] In November 2005, Landsat 5 transitioned to operations using a fixed solar array due to a failed motor which reduces the efficiency of battery charging. This, combined with the reduced power available from the batteries, increases the complexity of maintaining a safe power balance while collecting imagery.
Over the next few weeks, the team will continue to increase collection of imagery while closely monitoring power. Data collected will be available soon following analysis and calibration of the data."
Application Domains: Full Landsat Archive to be Free and Land Cover for Local Governments 1 comment
[+]
Very Spatial informs us of the USGS plans to make available at no charge the whole Landsat archives within a year. Additionally, Directions Mag runs an article on satellite imagery growth, specifically on land cover products for local governments.
From the article: "I, for one, am excited to see innovative, value-added processing of satellite imagery. The little bursts seen in recent years seem to come and go quickly. Perhaps we've turned a corner and this will be the first of many data layers regularly extracted from the terabytes of high-resolution satellite imagery data available worldwide and turned into products for immediate use in the public and private sector."
Browse our Land Cover topic for more.
Update: 04/29 20:45 GMT by S : The EOPortal informs us NASA has selected the contractor for the Landsat Data Continuity Mission Spacecraft.
This discussion has been archived.
No new comments can be posted.
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.
