NEWTOWN, Conn. - While Landsat-7 remained operational, the retirement of Landsat-5 made the need for the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM), or Landsat-8, more pressing. Landsat-8 launched on board an Atlas V launch vehicle on February 11, 2013.
With the launch, the Landsat program turns toward planning for the future. NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) would like to build another satellite to replace Landsat-7, thereby maintaining a network of two satellites. With two satellites, the agencies can pass overview any given spot on Earth once every eight days. With only one spacecraft, that figure jumps to once every 16 days.
The current plan calls for work to start on Landsat-9, which will be based on Landsat-8. Rebuilding components for Landsat-9 will save on costs. The cost to build the satellite is estimated to drop to $650 million from about $850 million for Landsat-8.
NASA and the USGS also plan to build a low-cost Thermal Infrared Free-Flyer (TIR-FF) satellite for launch in 2019. The spacecraft will enable continued infrared observations after the TIR instrument on Landsat-8 reaches the end of its lifespan. Other instruments on Landsat-8 will operate for some time after the TIR reaches the end of its life span. Additionally, ESA's Sentinel-2A can provide medium-resolution optical imagery to supplement Landsat data.
The agencies enjoy support from the White House into creating a more systematic Landsat program, with more frequent satellite purchases. To that end, they plan on starting work on Landsat-10 before Landsat-9 is launched. Still, they will need to contend with the tight budget environment in Washington at this time. Costs will need to be kept in check.
Landsat-8 is expected to continue service throughout the decade, and will be replaced early in the next decade.
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