The Multispectral Scanner (MSS) aboard Landsats 1–5 measured light in four spectral bands: two visible and two near-infrared. Landsats 1, 2, and 3 had an 18-day revisit cycle; Landsats 4 and 5 maintained a 16-day revisit cycle. Data from MSS proved to be superior to the Return Beam Vidicon, which was intended to be the prime instrument of the early Landsats.
Delivery of Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) satellite data products will cease on November 1, 2026. Data users should transition now to alternative products from NOAA-21 and NOAA-20.
Suomi NPP data announcement