Landsat-9

Landsat-9 is the latest satellite in the Landsat program, launched to continue the legacy of Earth observation. It operates in tandem with Landsat-8, offering improved technology and a coplanar orbit for an 8-day revisit cycle. Landsat-9 follows the tradition of providing open-access data for global scientific research and environmental monitoring.

The 3D view of Landsat-9

1. Mission Objectives and Applications

  • The satellite’s ability to capture multispectral data allows it to monitor diverse surface characteristics such as the health of vegetation, the quality of water, and geological formations.
  • Landsat-9 satellite is a part of the collaboration between NASA and the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

2. Technical Specifications

  • The satellite is equipped with the Operational Land Imager (OLI) and the Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS). OLI captures data in visible, near-infrared, and shortwave infrared wavelengths, while TIRS focuses on thermal infrared wavelengths.
  • Landsat-9 provides moderate spatial resolution imagery with a ground resolution of 30 meters for most bands, except for the panchromatic band, which images at a spatial resolution of 15 m.
  • Landsat-9 operates in a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of approximately 705 kilometers (438 miles).
  • Landsat-9 was launched on the 27th of September 2021.
  • The spacecraft can achieve a 185 km swath width.

3. Observation Frequency

  • Landsat-9 and Landsat-8 orbit in a coplanar configuration, positioned 180° apart. This arrangement reduces the revisit time to 8 days.

4. Open Access Data

  • Landsat 9 data is publicly available from the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

5. API access

With our API, you can search data, track satellite passes, and more using Landsat-9.

 

 

References:

https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/landsat-9#landsat-9

https://docs.disasterscharter.org/missions/opt/landsat-9/

https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/satellites/landsat-9/

 

Additional links:

https://api.spectator.earth

https://app.spectator.earth

https://app.spectator.earth/acquisition-plan

https://spectator.earth/list-of-recent-observations/

https://spectator.earth/faq/