Landsat 9 Galleries: Launch Week
Officials and guests with the USGS and Department of Interior were among those to visit Space Launch Complex 3 the day before liftoff.
Scientists gathered for a meet and greet at a Lompoc, CA, winery, where they spoke about how the unparalleled record of Landsat observations across nearly 50 years helps them to study and better understand the planet. Many returned the following day to meet Virginia Norwood, known as the “Mother of Landsat” for her role in the multispectral scanner used in the first Landsat satellite.
Children and curious adults had a chance to learn about remote sensing at the Lompoc Library, where selections from the USGS EROS Earth As Art collection were on display alongside educational activities and offerings.
The launch itself saw officials and guests from around the world gather at Vandenberg viewing locations to witness the historic moment.
Here are a few of our favorite photos and videos from the Landsat 9 launch.
Space Launch Complex 3 – Sept. 26, 2021
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Landsat Mural Dedication – Sept. 26, 2021
Landsat 9 Launch – Sept. 27, 2021
Landsat 9 Launch from Vandenberg: 3 Views
Three views of the Landsat 9 launch on September 27, 2021. Liftoff of the Atlas V rocket took place at 11:12 local time from Vandenberg Space Force Base near Lompoc, California. Mild fog and the “marine layer” of clouds cleared just enough to see the first 10 seconds of flight from 4 miles away at the OS-45 viewing area (also known as the “gravel pit”) located to the north of the SLC-3 launch pad.
Since 1972, the joint NASA/ U.S. Geological Survey Landsat series of Earth Observation satellites have continuously acquired images of the Earth’s land surface, providing uninterrupted data to help land managers and policymakers make informed decisions about natural resources and the environment.
Landsat is a part of the USGS National Land Imaging (NLI) Program. Landsat data is processed and hosted at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center.
Learn more about Landsat 9 and the Landsat program at https://usgs.gov/landsat
Earth As Art – Lompoc
Landsat 9 extends the legacy of the venerable program. Here are a few newspaper clips from the program’s history:
[Audio Descriptions]
A short look back at the the history of Landsat launches through the historic articles of the Lompoc Record publication.
Visit the Landsat Missions page for information on Landsat data access, use, and availability. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to stay up-to-date on Landsat and EROS news, and follow this link to hear our first podcast from launch week.
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