NASA
prepares to launch satellite that will continue historic record of global
change.
NATURE
Jeff
Tollefson
06 February
2013
When
Landsat 5 fell silent on 6 January, scientists across the globe mourned its
passing but gave thanks for its fortitude. The satellite had lasted a
record-breaking 28 years, snapping images of the changing planet from melting
glaciers to burning rainforests, while its successors faltered. Landsat 6
failed during launch and Landsat 7, at 13 years old, is partially blind and has
limited fuel. With the passing of Landsat 5, the future of the world’s
longest-running — and perhaps most influential — set of data on global change
rests with Landsat 8, which is scheduled to launch next week from Vandenberg
Air Force Base in California.
