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Landsat 5 delivered Earth imaging data for nearly 29 years, setting a Guinness World Record for "Longest Operating Earth Observation Satellite." In that time, Landsat 5 recorded many important events, including scientific discoveries, world events, and major disasters. Landsat 5 was designed and built at the same time as Landsat 4 and carried the same sensors.
Type
Earth Observation Satellite
Launch
March 1, 1984
Objective
Continuously acquire imagery of Earth’s land surface for environmental and resource management
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) provides science for a changing world, which reflects and responds to society’s continuously evolving needs. The USGS brings an array of earth, water, biological, and mapping data and expertise in support of decision-making on environmental, resource, and public safety issues.
Instruments Aboard Landsat 5
| Instrument Name | Operational Date(s) | Spectral Resolution | Type of Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thematic Mapper | March 1, 1984 to November 17, 2011 | 0.45 µm to 12.5 µm |
Spectrometers/Radiometers |
| Multispectral Scanner (MSS) | July 1972–Oct 1999; June 2012–Jan 2013 | 0.5 µm to 1.1 µm |
Spectrometer/Radiometer |
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