- Data_Quality_Information:
-
- Attribute_Accuracy:
- Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
- The identification of features is provided by the distinct
electromagnetic energy it emits, reflects, or otherwise transmits.
This is called the spectral signature. Other signatures are tone
(lightnes or darkness), texture (surface roughness or smoothness),
pattern, shadow, shape and size are as important. Thus, through the
use of multispectral scanners, such elements as water features,
soils, and vegetation can be identified and distinguished from each
other.
- Logical_Consistency_Report:
- The Landsat platforms operate from a sun-synchronous, near-polar
orbit imaging the same 185 km (115 miles) ground swath every 16 days
(formerly 18 days on Landsats 1 through 3). Multispectral scanner
(MSS) data were received directly from Landsats 4 and 5 by a network
of 16 worldwide ground stations. Also, data were transmitted via a
Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) to its ground terminal at
White Sands, New Mexico, and then relayed via a domestic
communications satellite (DOMSAT) to the data processing facility. The
MSS digital data were radiometrically corrected and relayed by DOMSAT
to the EROS Data Center for storage, reproduction into digital and
film formats, and distribution to users. The TDRS System (TDRSS)
satellites are in geosynchronous orbits. This configuration allowed
the acquisiton of MSS data for nearly all of the Earth's surface,
except for an area between 50 degrees north and 67 degrees east by 50
degrees south and 82 degrees east. That area may be covered in part by
data recorders at the Thailand and India ground stations.
- Completeness_Report:
- All of the Landsats have been in sun-synchronous orbits with
equatorial crossing times ranging from 8:30 a.m. for Landsat 1, 9 a.m.
for Landsat 2, to 9:45 a.m. for Landsat 5.
- Positional_Accuracy:
- Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:
- Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:
- The multispectral scanner (MSS) sensors were line scanning
devices observing the Earth perpendicular to the orbital track.
The cross-track scanning was accomplished by an oscillating
mirror; six lines were scanned simultaneously in each of the four
spectral bands for each mirror sweep. The forward motion of the
satellite provided the along-track scan line progression. All five
Landsats have carried the MSS sensor which responds to
Earth-reflected sunlight in four spectral bands. Landsat 3 carried
an MSS sensor with an additional band, designated band 8, that
responded to thermal (heat) infrared radiation. The radiometric
range of bands for the MSS sensor is shown below: (Handbook, 1979
and 1984, USGS). Wavelength Landsats 1-3 Landsats 4-5
(micrometers) Band 4 Band 1 0.5 - 0.6 Band 5 Band 2 0.6 - 0.7 Band
6 Band 3 0.7 - 0.8 Band 7 Band 4 0.8 - 1.1 Band 8 10.4 -
12.6
- Vertical_Positional_Accuracy:
- Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report:
- Landsats 1 through 3 operated in a near-polar orbit at an
altitude of 920 km with an 18-day repeat coverage cycle. These
satellites circled the Earth every 103 minutes, completing 14
orbits a day. Eighteen days and 251 overlapping orbits were
required to provide nearly complete coverage of the Earth's
surface with 185 km wide image swaths. The amount of swath overlap
or sidelap varies from 14 percent at the equator to a maximum of
approximately 85 percent at 81 north or south latitude. These
satellites carried two sensors: a return beam vidicon (RBV) and a
MSS. The RBV sensor was essentially a television camera and did
not achieve the popularity of the MSS sensor. The MSS sensor
scanned the Earth's surface from west to east as the satellite
moved in its descending (north-to-south) orbit over the sunlit
side of the Earth. Six detectors for each spectral band provided
six scan lines on each active scan. The combination of scanning
geometry, satellite orbit, and Earth rotation produced the global
coverage necessary for studying land surface change. The
resolution of the MSS sensor was approximately 80 m with
radiometric coverage in four spectral bands from the visible green
to the near-infrared (IR) wavelengths. Only the MSS sensor on
Landsat 3 had a fifth band in the
thermal-IR.
- Lineage:
- Source_Information:
- Source_Citation:
- Citation_Information:
- Originator: U. S. Geological Survey
- Publication_Date: 1972/01/01
- Title: Land Satellite Multispectral Scanner (Landsat
MSS)
- Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: remote-sensing
image
- Publication_Information:
- Publication_Place: Sioux Falls, SD
- Publisher: U. S. Geological Survey
- Other_Citation_Details:
- Earth scientists. The USGS entered into a partnership with
NASA in the early 1970's to assume responsibility for the
archive management and distribution of Landsat data products.
On July 23, 1972, NASA launched the first in a series of
satellites designed to provide repetitive global coverage of
the Earth's land masses. Designated initially as the Earth
Resources Technology Satellite-A (ERTS-A), it used a
Nimbus-type platform that was modified to carry sensor systems
and data relay equipment. When operational orbit was achieved,
it was designated ERTS-1. The satellite continued to function
beyond its designed life expectancy of 1 year and finally
ceased to operate on January 6, 1978, more than 5 years after
its launch date. The second in this series of Earth resources
satellites (designated ERTS-B) was launched January 22, 1975.
It was renamed Landsat 2 by NASA, which also renamed ERTS-1 to
Landsat 1. Three additional Landsats were launched in 1978,
1982, and 1984 (Landsats 3, 4, and 5 respectively). Each
successive satellite system had improved sensor and
communications capabilities.
- Online_Linkage: http://earthexplorer.cr.usgs.gov/
- Type_of_Source_Media: Cartridge tape
- Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Digital
- Process_Step:
- Process_Description:
- Radiometrically corrected (spacecraft and sensor systematic
parameters) MSS data were transmitted from the data processing
facility to the EDC via DOMSAT. At the EDC, the data were recorded
on high-density tape (HDT) using 14-track digital recorders and
then archived. In the interest of long-term preservation, the HDT
tapes were converted over to Digital Cartridge Tapes (DCT) tapes
in the late 1980's. Previously, the data were processed by the
EROS Digital Image Processing System (EDIPS), based on user
request. The EDIPS read the HDT, geometric corrections were
applied, optional image enhancement processing was performed, and
the processed data were recorded on high-resolution film for
archive use in generating photographic reproductions. The National
Landsat Production System (NLAPS) processing system is currently
used by the EDC for processing data. This system replaced EDIPS in
the mid-1990's. A Digital Cassette Recording System (DCRSi)
cassette drive is used to supply serial image data to NLAPS. The
NLAPS produces systematic, precision, and terrain corrected
digital products. The NLAPS products also offer variable pixel
sizes, image orientations, resampling techniques, horizontal
datums, map projections, and WRS scene center offsets.
- Process_Date: Not complete
- Process_Contact:
- Contact_Information:
- Contact_Organization_Primary:
- Contact_Organization: U. S. Geological
Survey
- Contact_Position: Customer Services Representative
- Contact_Address:
- Address_Type: mailing and physical address
- Address: EROS Data Center
- City: Sioux Falls
- State_or_Province: SD
- Country: USA
- Contact_Voice_Telephone: 605-594-6151
- Contact_TDD_TTY_Telephone: 605-594-6933
- Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 605-594-6589
- Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address:
custserv@usgs.gov
- Hours_of_Service: 0800 - 1600
CT
-
- Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:
-
- Indirect_Spatial_Reference:
- Landsats 4 and 5 MSS scenes have an instantaneous field of view
(IFOV) of 68 meters in the cross-track direction by 82 meters in the
along-track direction (223.0 by 272.3 feet, respectively). To
understand this concept, consider a ground scene composed of a single
82- by 82-meter area. The scan monitor sensor ensures that the
cross-track optical scan is 185 km at nominal altitude regardless of
mirror scan nonlinearity or other perturbations of mirror velocity.
Cross-track image scan velocity is nominally 6.82 meters per
microsecond.After 9.958 microseconds, the 82- by 82-meter image has
moved 67.9 meters. The sample taken at this instant represents 15
meters of previous information and 68 meters of new information.
Therefore, the effective IFOV of the MSS detector in the cross-track
direction must be considered to be 68 meters which corresponds to a
nominal ground area of 68 meters by 82 meters at the satellite nadir
point. Using the effective IFOV in area calculation eliminates
theoverlap in area between adjacent pixels. Landsats 1 through 3
provided Earth coverage similar to Landsats 4 and 5. However, the
higher altitude of Landsats 1 through 3 resulted in a different
swathing pattern with the IFOVbeing 56 meters in the cross-track
direction by 79 meters in the along-track direction (183.7 feet by
259.2 feet respectively). The resolution for the MSS sensor is shown
below: Landsats 1-3 Landsats 4-5 (meters) Band 4 Band 1 79/82* Band 5
Band 2 79/82 Band 6 Band 3 79/82 Band 7 Band 4 79/82 Band 8** 237 *
The nominal altitude was 920 km for Landsats 1, 2, and 3. Nominal
altitude for Landsats 4 and 5 is 705 km. The resolutions are
approximately 79 and 82 meters respectively as a result. ** Landsat 3
only.
- Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Raster
- Raster_Object_Information:
- Raster_Object_Type: Pixel
Spatial_Reference_Information:
- Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:
- Planar:
- Map_Projection:
- Space_Oblique_Mercator_Landsat:
- Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
-
- Overview_Description:
- Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
- Since 1972 these satellites have provided repetitive,
synoptic, global coverage of high-resolution multispectral
imagery. The characteristics of the MSS and TM bands were selected
to maximize their capabilities for detecting and monitoring
different types of Earth's resources. For example, MSS band 1 can
be used to detect green reflectance from healthy vegetation, and
band 2 of MSS is designed for detecting chlorophyll absorption in
vegetation. MSS bands 3 and 4 are ideal for recording near-IR
reflectance peaks in healthy green vegetation and for detecting
water-land interfaces. MSS Bands 4, 2, and 1 can be combined to
make false-color composite images where band 4 controls the amount
of red, band 2 the amount of green, and band 1 the amount of blue.
This band combination makes vegetation appear as shades of red,
brighter reds indicating more vigorously growing vegetation. Soils
with no or sparse vegetation will range from white (sands) to
greens or browns depending on moisture and organic matter content.
Water bodies will appear blue. Deep, clear water will be dark blue
to black in color, while sediment-laden or shallow waters will
appear lighter in color. Urban areas will appear blue-gray in
color. Clouds and snow will be bright white and they are usually
distinguishable from each other by the shadows associated with the
clouds.
- Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
- U.S. Department of the Interior, 1992, Department of the
Interior, United States Geological Survey
- Distribution_Information:
-
- Distributor:
- Contact_Information:
- Contact_Organization_Primary:
- Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey EROS Data
Center
- Contact_Person: Customer Services
Representative
- Contact_Position: Customer Services Representative
- Contact_Address:
- Address_Type: mailing and physical address
- Address: Customer Services, U.S. Geological Survey, EROS
Data Center
- City: Sioux Falls
- State_or_Province: SD
- Postal_Code: 57198
- Country: USA
- Contact_Voice_Telephone: 605-594-6151
- Contact_TDD_TTY_Telephone: 605-594-6933
- Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 605-594-6589
- Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: custserv@usgs.gov
- Hours_of_Service: 0800 - 1600 CT
- Contact_Instructions:
- Automated Ordering. Your order is forwarded to Customer
Services at the U.S. Geological Survey's EROS Data Center via
the Earth Explorer system. If you are a user of the system, you
may place an order with a credit card. We use a secure credit
card server that encrypts sensitive information passed from the
user's browser to our Web server. Manual Ordering. Write down
the ordering ID(s) for your item(s). Contact Customer Services
between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. CT. In addition to
the address above, there are other Earth Science Information
Center offices throughout the country. A full list of these
offices is at:
- Distribution_Liability:
- Although these data have been processed successfully on a
computer system at the USGS, no warranty expressed or implied is
made by the USGS regarding the use of the data on any other system,
nor does the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. The
USGS will warrant the delivery of this product in computer-readable
format and will offer appropriate adjustment of credit when the
product is determined unreadable by correctly adjusted computer
input peripherals, or when the physical medium is delivered in
damaged condition. Requests for adjustment of credit must be made
within 60 days from the date of this shipment from the order
site.
- Standard_Order_Process:
- Digital_Form:
- Digital_Transfer_Information:
- Format_Name: ASCII
- Format_Information_Content:
- USGS uncompressed MSS: The uncompressed USGS MSS is a
"raw" binary image file preceded by a metadata header record
which consists of 4, 400-byte ASCII records, each blank
padded to equal the length of a single line of image
data.
- File_Decompression_Technique: No compression
applied
- Transfer_Size: 42.1 megabytes
- Digital_Transfer_Option:
- Offline_Option:
- Offline_Media: 8 mm cartridge tape
- Recording_Capacity:
- Recording_Density: 30,270
- Recording_Density_Units: 2,048 or multiples of
2,048
- Recording_Format: Unlabelled, uncompressed Unix DD
archive format
- Compatibility_Information: None
- Offline_Option:
- Offline_Media: Compact Disc (Recordable)
- Recording_Capacity:
- Recording_Density: 650
- Recording_Density_Units: megabytes
- Recording_Format: ISO 9660
- Compatibility_Information: CD-ROM
Drive
- Offline_Option:
- Offline_Media: CD-ROM
- Recording_Capacity:
- Recording_Density: 650
- Recording_Density_Units: megabytes
- Recording_Format: ISO 9660
- Compatibility_Information: CD-ROM
Drive
- Fees: For cassette, CD, and film products, the costs are
available at: http://edcsns17.cr.usgs.gov/helpdocs/prices.html
- Ordering_Instructions:
- Dataset searching and ordering capabilities are available
through the Earth Explorer System at
- Turnaround: 4 - 6 weeks
- Metadata_Reference_Information:
-
- Metadata_Date: 1999/11/26
- Metadata_Review_Date: 1999/11/26
- Metadata_Contact:
- Contact_Information:
- Contact_Organization_Primary:
- Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey EROS Data
Center
- Contact_Position: Information Scientist
- Contact_Address:
- Address_Type: mailing and physical address
- Address: Archive and Information Management, EROS Data
Center
- City: Sioux Falls
- State_or_Province: SD
- Postal_Code: 57198
- Country: USA
- Contact_Voice_Telephone: 605-594-6594
- Contact_TDD_TTY_Telephone: 605-594-6933
- Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 605-594-6953
- Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address:
custserv@usgs.gov
- Hours_of_Service: 0800 - 1600 CT
- Metadata_Standard_Name: Content Standard for digital geospatial
metadata (revised June 1998)
- Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998
- Metadata_Time_Convention: local time
- Metadata_Access_Constraints: None
- Metadata_Use_Constraints: None
- Metadata_Security_Information:
- Metadata_Security_Classification_System: None
- Metadata_Security_Classification: Unclassified
- Metadata_Security_Handling_Description: None