Landsat Platform
lLandsat 5 launched 1984 (3 yr design life!)
–Thematic Mapper (TM) Sensor
lLandsat 7 launched April 15, 1999
–Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) Sensor
•The Cropland Data Layer program primarily uses the Landsat platform for acreage estimation. However, other platforms such as the Indian IRS Resource-Sat 1 platforms can be used to fill "data acquisition" holes within a state.
•Landsat 5 launched in 1984, and is still producing images, it is projected to have enough fuel to last until 2009!
•A data sharing partnership was created with the Foreign Ag Service and they have continuously provided NASS satellite images for the Cropland Data Layer Program since 1997.
•On May 31, 2003 an instrument anomaly was discovered with Landsat 7.  To obtain up to date status on the anomaly visit:  http://landsat7.usgs.gov/index.php