5°c A few clouds
17°c Sunny
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Earth-observing satellite set to launch from California; 8th in series that began in 1972
This artist rendering released by NASA shows the Landsat satellite in orbit around Earth. The satellite is slated to launch Monday, Feb. 11, 2013 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. It’s the eighth satellite in a program that began in 1972. (AP Photo/NASA)
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - A new Earth-observing satellite is set to provide another watchful eye over our planet's glaciers, forests, water resources and urban sprawl.
If all goes as planned, the Landsat satellite will be launched into orbit Monday from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
It would be the eighth such satellite in a series designed to continuously track natural changes and society's influence on Earth's resources.
Since the maiden launch in 1972, the satellites have been providing "uninterrupted observations," David Jarrett, program executive at NASA headquarters, said during a pre-launch news conference on Friday.
During the past 40 years, the Landsat satellites have been key in documenting changes to the Earth, pinpointing where droughts are occurring, how crops across the globe are faring and how erosion is affecting coastlines.
The satellites also have recorded retreating glaciers in Greenland, captured the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption and recovery aftermath, tracked population growth in Phoenix and deforestation in the Amazon.
Although NASA aimed for a Monday liftoff, launch director Omar Baez said there were two remaining engineering issues to complete. It was too early to know whether that would affect the launch schedule, he said.
The newest Landsat will be the most powerful yet. Once in orbit, it will circle Earth 14 times a day.
It was expected to beam back 400 images a day to ground stations in South Dakota, Alaska and Norway. As in previous missions, the images will be freely available on the Internet.
The $855 million project is managed by NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey. The space agency developed the satellite and its two sensors, which are more sensitive than previous ones. After a checkout period in orbit, day-to-day duties will be turned over to the USGS.
The latest Landsat will build on past missions. The USGS recently retired Landsat 5, which operated since 1984 and has returned 2 1/2 million images. Landsat 7, launched in 1999, continues to operate.
___
Follow Alicia Chang at http://twitter.com/SciWriAlicia
More FP News Top Story
- Back to Top
- Return to FP News Top Story
More FP News Top Story
(1 of 43 articles for this week)
Duffy expense controversy sent back to closed-door Senate committee
05/21/2013 10:02 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular FP News Top Story
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- US automakers holding off on summer factory shutdowns as demand increases
- Family will claim older Boston bombing suspect's body, uncle says as investigation deepens
- Study finds mentally ill more likely to be arrested, harmed by police
- Bangladesh rescuers say voices of survivors getting weaker as death toll nearly 350
- Federal government runs $1.6B surplus for February compared with $1.5B year ago
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- Roughriders add experience as they prepare to host the 2013 Grey Cup
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- In unusual pattern, Oklahoma tornado tracked path of 1999 monster twister with record winds
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- Car bomb at French Embassy in Libyan capital wounds 3 in latest sign of deepening lawlessness
- First lady: Jobs program has led to training or hiring of 290,000 veterans, military spouses
- A closer look at the 3 new game consoles from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony
- Sens-Habs series gets ugly:Eric Gryba suspended two games for Lars Eller hit
- Canadarm's final flight; Canadian astronauts wistfully watch end of shuttle program
- ESPN says it regrets that reporter described gay NBA player Collins as a sinner
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- Census 2011 makes history: population in the West surpasses that in the East
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- As Boston mourns, suspected brothers' radicalism comes into focus
- Car bomb at French Embassy in Libyan capital wounds 3 in latest sign of deepening lawlessness
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- Still no winner for $50 million Lotto Max jackpot, but Manitoba has a $1 million winner
- Elections Canada wants greater punishment powers in wake of robocalls debacle
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.