Landsat 7 and EOS AM-1: a pre-launch status report on two significant components of NASA's earth science program

摘要

Two significant ocmponents of NASA's Earth Science Program,Landsat 7 and the first Earth Observing System (EOS), morning equator crossing platform (EOS AM-1),are scheduled for launch within the next year.The Landsat 7 spacecraft will carry the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+),while EOS AM-1 will carry five scientific instruments: moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS),Multiangle Imaging Spectroradio-meter (MISR),Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER),Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) and Measuremnt Of Pollution In The Troposhere (MOPITT).Plans call for these two spacecraft to be placed in a same-day orbit,spaced approx 30 minutes apart.Given the complementary sensing capabilities of ETM+ AND modis instruments,multispectral data with both high (30m) and medium-to-course (250-1000m) spatial resolution will be acquired repetitively on a global basis under similar solar angle and plant physiological conditions.It is expected that significant scientific benefits will be realized by utilizing these data in a multistage multispectral approach.