Landsat 9: Earth Observation from 705 km
Landsat 9 is the latest satellite in the long-running Landsat programme, a joint initiative by NASA and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to monitor Earth's surface. Launched on 27 September 2021, Landsat 9 continues a legacy of Earth observation that began in 1972 with the launch of Landsa
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Introduction to Landsat 9
Landsat 9 is the latest satellite in the long-running Landsat programme, a joint initiative by NASA and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to monitor Earth's surface. Launched on 27 September 2021, Landsat 9 continues a legacy of Earth observation that began in 1972 with the launch of Landsat 1. The satellite's primary mission is to capture high-resolution images of the planet's surface, providing critical data for environmental monitoring, agriculture, forestry, and land use planning.
Mission and Purpose
The primary goal of Landsat 9 is to provide continuity of data for the Landsat programme, ensuring an uninterrupted record of Earth's land surfaces. The satellite is equipped with two main instruments: the Operational Land Imager 2 (OLI-2) and the Thermal Infrared Sensor 2 (TIRS-2). These instruments capture data in visible, near-infrared, shortwave infrared, and thermal infrared wavelengths, allowing scientists to analyse a wide range of environmental parameters, from vegetation health to water quality and urban growth.
Orbital Characteristics
Landsat 9 orbits Earth at an altitude of approximately 705 kilometres in a near-polar, sun-synchronous orbit. This orbit allows the satellite to pass over the same location on Earth every 16 days, providing consistent temporal coverage. The satellite's inclination is about 98.2 degrees, ensuring it can capture images of nearly all of Earth's land surfaces. Landsat 9's NORAD ID is 49260, and its orbital period is approximately 99 minutes. These details can be explored further in the Orbital Radar Satellite Library.
Significance and Legacy
The Landsat programme is one of the most significant and longest-running Earth observation initiatives. Data from Landsat satellites have been instrumental in numerous scientific discoveries and practical applications, such as tracking deforestation, monitoring agricultural practices, and assessing the impacts of climate change. Landsat 9 continues this legacy, providing high-quality data that supports both scientific research and policy-making. The satellite's data is freely available to the public, promoting transparency and collaboration in environmental science.
Current Status
As of now, Landsat 9 is fully operational and continues to deliver valuable data to scientists and researchers worldwide. The satellite's imagery is regularly updated and can be accessed through various platforms, including the Orbital Radar Satellite Eye, which offers live satellite imagery viewing. Landsat 9's contributions are vital for ongoing environmental monitoring and will continue to support a wide range of applications in the coming years.
📎 Cite this article · data available
Orbital Radar Newsroom. (2026). Landsat 9: Earth Observation from 705 km. Orbital Radar. https://orbitalradar.com/blog/landsat-9-earth-observation"Landsat 9: Earth Observation from 705 km." Orbital Radar, 13 October 2026, https://orbitalradar.com/blog/landsat-9-earth-observation.@misc{orbitalradar_landsat_9_earth_observation,
title = {Landsat 9: Earth Observation from 705 km},
author = {{Orbital Radar}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://orbitalradar.com/blog/landsat-9-earth-observation}}
}
