We are in the process of migrating all NASA Earth science data sites into Earthdata from now until end of 2026. Not all NASA Earth science data and resources will appear here until then. Thank you for your patience as we make this transition.
Read about the Web Unification Project
When it launched in July 1972, Landsat 1 began a half-century long mission to help land managers and policymakers make informed decisions. Named Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-1) when it launched, Landsat 1 was the first civilian Earth observation satellite. Designed to operate for one year, it surpassed expectations by collecting images for 5 ½ years.
Type
Earth Observation Satellite
Launch
July 23, 1972
Objective
Continuously acquire imagery of Earth’s land surface for environmental and resource management
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) provides science for a changing world, which reflects and responds to society’s continuously evolving needs. The USGS brings an array of earth, water, biological, and mapping data and expertise in support of decision-making on environmental, resource, and public safety issues.
Related Platforms
Frequently Asked Questions
Earthdata Forum
Our online forum provides a space for users to browse thousands of FAQs about research needs, data, and data applications. You can also submit new questions for our experts to answer.
Submit Questions to Earthdata Forumand View Expert Responses