FOR ALL HUMANKIND...Fishing from Orbit

In 1972, NASA began launching a series of satellites designed to observe the changing conditions on the Earth’s surface. These Landsat satellites have now been in operation for over 20 years.

This ability to observe changes on Earth over a long period of time provides valuable information in such areas as agriculture, prospecting for oil and minerals, locating fresh water, preserving wildlife, monitoring water and air pollution, mapping the growth of cities, and flood control. Over the years, Landsat has provided resource management information to thousands of users in the U.S. and other countries.

Since Landsats sense Earth’s features from a remote location (from orbit) the technology is called remote sensing. Landsat’s remote sensing technology has helped to create new businesses. Some companies make the sensors used for scanners in orbit or in aircraft; some make the computer hardware and software needed to process the images; other companies specialize in explaining what the images mean.

Remote sensing technology is used by fishermen to locate fish. The satellite data tells them where in the ocean the temperature is right for a particular type of fish. Landsats also provide weather information for a few square miles or four million square miles. Satellite images allow ship captains to find the most favorable winds and currents, to save time and fuel. Remote sensing technology is also used to map oil spills.