NSSDCA ID: 1984-021A-02
Mission Name: Landsat 5The Landsat 5 Multispectral Scanner (MSS) provided repetitive day/night acquisition of high-resolution multispectral data of the earth's surface on a global basis. While its primary function was to provide an alternate to the thematic mapper (TM), it provided data for agriculture, forestry, geology, and hydrology. The MSS system was also used for oceanographic and meteorological purposes, i.e., to map sea-ice fields, locate and track major ocean currents, monitor both air and water pollution, determine snow cover, investigate severe storm environments, etc. The MSS consisted of a double reflection-type telescope, scanning mirror, filters, detectors, and associated electronics. The scanner operated in the following spectral intervals: band 1, 0.5 to 0.6 micrometers; band 2, 0.6 to 0.7 micrometers; band 3, 0.7 to 0.8 micrometers; and band 4, 0.8 to 1.1 micrometers. The swath width was 185 km; the ground resolution was 82.6 m for all four bands. The primary image produced at the image plane was relayed by use of fiber-optic bundles to detectors where conversion to an electronic signal was accomplished. Optical filters produced spectral separation. Six detectors were employed in each of the first four spectral bands: bands 1 through 3 used photomultiplier tubes as detectors, and band 4 used silicon photodiodes. A multiplexer included in the MSS system processed the scanner's 24 channels of data. These data were time-multiplexed and then converted to a PCM signal by an A/D converter. The data were transmitted directly to an acquisition station via the TDRSS. Data from this experiment were available through the EROS Data Center, Department of Commerce, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Questions and comments about this experiment can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
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Dr. Vincent V. Salomonson | Principal Investigator | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | vincent.v.salomonson@nasa.gov |