From 1972 to 1978, three Landsat remote sensing satellites inaugurated the U.S. Landsat and Earth Resources Technology Program. These near-polar orbiting satellites acquired data on the Earth's land mass, coastal boundaries, and coral reefs, with the goal of observing changes in land surfaces and surrounding environments and providing day-to-day help to agriculture, geology, forestry, hydrology and cartography.
Each spacecraft carried a wide range of sensors. These included; a Return Beam Vidicon (essentially a television camera), a multispectral scanner and a data collection system which allowed data from remote ground stations to be relayed to a central processing facility.
The last of the Landsat 1-3 series (Landsat 3) was retired on September 7, 1983; since then the program has continued using updated satellite designs.
This artifact is a 1/4 scale model, donated by General Electric Space Systems to the Museum in 1978.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
MODELS-Uncrewed Spacecraft & Parts
Manufacturer
General Electric Space Systems Division
Dimensions
Overall (Assembled): 76.2 × 99.1 × 38.1cm (2 ft. 6 in. × 3 ft. 3 in. × 1 ft. 3 in.)
3-D (Main Body, Diameter x Length): 33 × 73cm (1 ft. 1 in. × 2 ft. 4 3/4 in.)
3-D (Solar Panels, Each): 61 × 28.6 × 3.8cm (2 ft. × 11 1/4 in. × 1 1/2 in.)
Materials
Wood
Plastics
Paper
Adhesive
Aluminum Alloy
Paints
Glass
Inventory Number
A19781450000
Credit Line
Gift of General Electric Space Systems Division
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.
