Landsat 9 Satellite
Latest Landsat mission with improved radiometric performance
Satellite Overview
Launch Year
2021
Operating Agency
USGS & NASA
Orbit Type
Sun-synchronous, polar orbit
Mission Purpose
Continuity of Landsat program with enhanced sensors
Sensors and Instruments
Operational Land Imager 2 (OLI-2) and Thermal Infrared Sensor 2 (TIRS-2)
Resolution Information
Spatial Resolution
30m (multispectral), 15m (pan), 100m (thermal)
Spectral Resolution
11 bands (same as Landsat 8)
Temporal Resolution
16 days (8 days paired with Landsat 8)
Radiometric Resolution
14-bit (0-16383 values)
Applications
Enhanced land use monitoring
Improved water quality assessment
Better cloud shadow detection
Paired with Landsat 8 for 8-day revisit
Resources
Student Notes
- •14-bit radiometric resolution vs 12-bit for Landsat 8
- •Combined with Landsat 8 provides 8-day revisit cycle
- •Free and open data policy continued
- •TIRS-2 has improved stray light correction
Quick Facts
Launched
2021
Agency
USGS & NASA
Best Resolution
30m (multispectral), 15m (pan), 100m (thermal)
Revisit Cycle
16 days (8 days paired with Landsat 8)