# Landsat 1

> first satellite of the United States' Landsat program, active 1972-1978

**Wikidata**: [Q1816481](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1816481)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landsat_1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/landsat-1

## Summary
Landsat 1 was the first satellite in the United States' Landsat program, launched in 1972 to observe Earth from orbit. It operated until 1978, providing critical data for environmental monitoring and resource management. The satellite marked the beginning of a long-term global Earth observation initiative.

## Key Facts
- Launched on **July 23, 1972**, from **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2**.  
- Operated until **1978**, with an orbital period of **103 minutes**.  
- Manufacturer: **General Electric**; operator: **NASA**.  
- Orbital parameters: **907 km periapsis**, **915 km apoapsis**, **99.2° inclination**.  
- Launch vehicle: **Delta 0100** expendable rocket.  
- Also known as **ERTS 1** (Earth Resources Technology Satellite).  
- Followed by **Landsat 2** in 1975.  
- Part of the **Landsat program**, a series of Earth observation satellites.  

## FAQs
### Q: What was Landsat 1's primary purpose?  
A: Landsat 1 was designed to observe Earth's surface, providing data for environmental monitoring, agriculture, forestry, and geology. It pioneered systematic global land imaging.  

### Q: How long did Landsat 1 remain operational?  
A: Landsat 1 operated for six years, from its launch in 1972 until its decommissioning in 1978.  

### Q: What type of orbit did Landsat 1 use?  
A: It orbited Earth in a **Sun-synchronous orbit**, ensuring consistent lighting conditions for imaging.  

## Why It Matters  
Landsat 1 revolutionized Earth observation by providing the first continuous, high-resolution images of the planet's surface. Its data enabled advancements in agriculture, forestry, urban planning, and disaster response, establishing a foundation for modern remote sensing. The satellite's success validated the use of space-based imaging for environmental monitoring, leading to the sustained Landsat program, which remains critical for climate science and resource management today.  

## Notable For  
- **First satellite** in the Landsat program, initiating decades of Earth observation.  
- Pioneered **multispectral imaging** for environmental and agricultural applications.  
- Demonstrated the feasibility of **long-term satellite-based land monitoring**.  

## Body  
### Launch and Mission  
- Launched **July 23, 1972**, aboard a **Delta 0100** rocket.  
- Primary mission: **systematic Earth observation** for resource management.  

### Technical Specifications  
- Orbit: **Sun-synchronous**, with **907 km (periapsis)** and **915 km (apoapsis)**.  
- Orbital inclination: **99.2°**, ensuring consistent coverage.  
- Carried **multispectral scanners** for imaging in visible and infrared wavelengths.  

### Legacy  
- Followed by **Landsat 2** in 1975, continuing the program's mission.  
- Data archived and still used for **historical environmental studies**.  
- Established NASA's role in **global land monitoring**.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013