Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM), or LandSat 8, during Observatory Electromagnetic Interference/Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMI/EMC) testing at Orbital Science Corporation's Gilbert, Ariz., location. August, 2012.
The newest LandSat satellite, LandSat 8, has been scheduled for a February 2013 launch. The spacecraft designed, built and tested by Orbital Sciences Corporation will continue the work of NASA and USGS Earth observation programs, extending a 40-year-old legacy in the country.
The satellite weights slightly more than 6,600 pounds and is approximately 20 feet tall with a 9-foot diameter at its widest point. It has four solar panels that will stretch out 32 feet from the satellite.
Once LandSat 8 is operational in its final orbit, Landsat 5, a 28-year-old spacecraft will be decommissioned and taken out of orbit. Its creators expect LandSat 8 to last between five and 10 years, serving different industries such as emergency response and disaster relief, regional planning, education, agriculture, mapping, geology and forestry.
LandSat 8 will more than double the amount of images produced by its predecessor LandSat 7, and feature two new spectral bands that will allow it to detect clouds on coastal zones
For further information visit: http://www.satellitetoday.com/
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