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Landsat Diagrams and Technical Illustrations

This gallery includes Landsat technical illustrations, diagrams, sensor schematics, and orbital visualizations.

Line art illustration of the Landsat 8/9 satellite spacecraft.

Line art illustration of the Landsat 8/9 satellite spacecraft.

Side-view wireframe illustration of Landsat 9, launched in 2021 as the latest in NASA's Earth observation satellite series. The diagram...

Side-view wireframe illustration of Landsat 9, launched in 2021 as the latest in NASA's Earth observation satellite series. The diagram shows the instrument-carrying spacecraft bus connected to its large solar array that powers the satellite's advanced imaging systems.

Detailed line art diagram of the Landsat 7 satellite showing labeled components including the ETM+ (Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus) instrument,...

Detailed line art diagram of the Landsat 7 satellite showing labeled components including the ETM+ (Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus) instrument, solar array, thermal radiation door, ESA tripod, GXA1 tripod, gimbaled X-band antennas, and S-band omni antenna.

Technical line drawing of the Landsat 6 satellite with labeled components including the Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM), imaging aperture, cooler...

Technical line drawing of the Landsat 6 satellite with labeled components including the Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM), imaging aperture, cooler door, ETM electronics, solar array, batteries, pointable antennas, and orbit control thrusters. The diagram shows the satellite in an isometric perspective with extended solar panels.

Technical diagram showing the key components of the Landsat 4-5 satellite.

Technical line drawing diagram of Landsat 4 spacecraft showing labeled components including high gain antenna at top, global positioning system antenna, attitude control module, propulsion module, power module, thematic mapper instrument, multispectral scanner, solar array panel, and indicating multimission modular spacecraft and instrument module sections.

Technical line drawing of a the Landsat 4-5 satellite with labeled components including a high gain antenna on a pole...

Technical line drawing of a the Landsat 4-5 satellite with labeled components including a high gain antenna on a pole mount, multispectral scanner (MSS), solar array panels, Thematic Mapper (TM), S-band antenna, and X-band antenna. The spacecraft body contains various sensors and instruments, with the solar array extending from the right side.

Technical line drawing of the Landsat 1 satellite (originally called ERTS-1) with labeled components including solar paddles, sensory ring, return...

Technical line drawing of the Landsat 1 satellite (originally called ERTS-1) with labeled components including solar paddles, sensory ring, return beam vidicon cameras, multispectral scanner, attitude control subsystem, and various antennas. The illustration shows coordinate axes and the satellite's orbit direction.

Detailed schematic of the Landsat satellite platform showing key subsystems and instruments. The illustration identifies critical components including dual solar...

Detailed schematic of the Landsat satellite platform showing key subsystems and instruments. The illustration identifies critical components including dual solar arrays for power generation, attitude control and measurement systems, communications equipment (wideband and S-band antennas), imaging sensors (multispectral scanner and return beam vidicon cameras), and propulsion elements.

ERTS/Landsat multispectral scanner system data acquisition.

ERTS/Landsat multispectral scanner system data acquisition.

Diagram illustrating how ERTS-A (Landsat 1) transmitted data to ground stations on Earth via satellite communication links.

A diagram showing how ERTS-A communicated with ground stations.

Line art illustration of the Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) instrument on Landsat 8/9.

Line art illustration of the Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) instrument on Landsat 8/9.

Technical diagram showing the internal components of the Multispectral Scanner System (MSS) used on Landsat satellites. The exploded view illustration...

Technical diagram showing the internal components of the Multispectral Scanner System (MSS) used on Landsat satellites. The exploded view illustration labels key parts including photomultiplier tubes, mirrors, fiber optics, detectors, and calibration equipment.

Diagram of the four-band MSS, the photomultiplier tubes and silicon photodiodes are tucked in the rear of the sensor.

Diagram of the four-band MSS, the photomultiplier tubes and silicon photodiodes are tucked in the rear of the sensor.

A diagram showing a line scanning multispectral sensor.

A diagram showing a line scanning multispectral sensor. Text in this image reads as: The spectral signature of an object is a repeatable set of reflected energy levels at specific wavelengths.

Point multispectral radiometer methodology (top), and a line scanning multispectral sensor (bottom).

A hand drawn diagram showing how the Multispecral Scanner works. Identifies the amplifiers, rotating scan mirror, prism, energy input, Detectors sensitive to different wavelengths, direction of scan, direction of flight, mag tape, real-time monitor, and film recorder.

This schematic appears in The Landsat Tutorial Workbook: Basics of Satellite Remote Sensing, written by Dr. Nicholas Short and published...

This schematic appears in The Landsat Tutorial Workbook: Basics of Satellite Remote Sensing, written by Dr. Nicholas Short and published by the NASA Scientific and Technical Information Branch in 1982. Dr. Short writes, “The Landsat-1 spacecraft was launched on July 23, 1972, and positioned in the orbit shown in [this figure]. Landsat-2 was launched on June 22, 1975, and Landsat-3 was launched on March 5, 1978. “These satellites [had] a nominal altitude of 917 km (570 miles); 99° orbital inclination, which makes them nearly polar; and a sun-synchronous orbit, which means that the orbit plane precesses about the Earth at the same angular rate that the Earth moves about the Sun. This feature enables the spacecraft to cross the Equator at the same local time (about 9:30 to 10:00 a.m.) on the sunlit side of the Earth.”

Ground track map displaying satellite orbit paths across Earth, with Goldstone and NTTF (NASA Tracking and Telemetry Facility) ground stations...

Ground track map displaying satellite orbit paths across Earth, with Goldstone and NTTF (NASA Tracking and Telemetry Facility) ground stations identified. The numbered positions represent orbit passes for mission planning and communication coverage analysis.

Polar projection of Antarctica highlighting eight significant ice changes (labeled A-H) observed from ERTS satellite imagery during December 1972-February 1973....

Polar projection of Antarctica highlighting eight significant ice changes (labeled A-H) observed from ERTS satellite imagery during December 1972-February 1973. Notable features include the Ronne Ice Front, Thwaites Ice Tongue, Ross Ice Shelf, McMurdo area changes, Drygalski Ice Tongue, and Lambert Glacier, demonstrating early satellite monitoring of Antarctic ice dynamics.

This schematic appears in the ERTS Reference Manual that was prepared by General Electric prior to the Landsat 1 (ERTS-1)...

A typical day of image scheduling by the OCC. The solid lines are scenes recorded to the wideband video tape...

A black and white diagram showing the scan lines and image scheduling by the OCC

Schematic view of coaligned RBVs taking imagery of a target region.

Schematic view of coaligned RBVs taking imagery of a target region.

Return beam vidicon (RBV) and multispectral scanner system (MSS) data downlinks. All data were recorded to wideband video tape (WBVT);...

A diagram showing Landsat 2's functionality and relationship with ground stations such as NASA Goddard, Gilmore Creek, and Goldstone.

Artist rendering of the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) instrument with cutaway view showing internal optical components and systems. This...

Technical line drawing of the EO-1 Advanced Land Imager instrument showing its internal optical components and housing structure. The cutaway view reveals the telescope assembly with mirrors, detector arrays, and electronic modules in a compact rectangular housing.

Technical line drawing of the Operational Land Imager (OLI) instrument showing its structural framework, optical components, and mounting system.

Technical line drawing of the Operational Land Imager (OLI) instrument showing its structural framework, optical components, and mounting system.

Technical diagram of the Multispectral Scanner System (MSS) scanning instrument showing internal components including filters, an oscillating scan mirror, and...

Technical diagram of the Multispectral Scanner System (MSS) scanning instrument showing internal components including filters, an oscillating scan mirror, and detector array (6 detectors per band, 24 total for 4 bands). Below the instrument is an illustration of the scanning pattern showing a 12° field of view creating a 115-mile swath width with 6 scan lines. Directional indicators show orbital flight path and scanning orientation (North, South, East, West).

This illustration demonstrates the systematic Earth observation coverage pattern of a polar-orbiting satellite. The diagram shows how consecutive orbital passes...

This illustration demonstrates the systematic Earth observation coverage pattern of a polar-orbiting satellite. The diagram shows how consecutive orbital passes (Orbits 1, 2, 15, and 16) create imaging swaths across the Earth's surface over a two-day period.

Enlarged view of MSS scanning geometry and image projection.

A black and white line drawing showing the MSS Scanner arrangement and its orbit direction and swath above the earth.

Schematic diagram illustrating the geometry of a sun-synchronous orbit for the morning descending node of Landsat. This schematic appears in...

Schematic diagram illustrating the geometry of a sun-synchronous orbit for the morning descending node of Landsat.

To continually map the Earth’s surface using Landsat data, an entirely new projection had to be created. This new projection...

To continually map the Earth’s surface using Landsat data, an entirely new projection had to be created. This new projection was created by John Parr Snyder and is known as the Space Oblique Mercator (SOM) projection. This projection has been referred to as, “one of the most complex projections ever devised” by Library of Congress cartographic historian, John W. Hessler. John Parr Snyder began his calculations for the SOM projection using the most basic form of the equations for the Mercator projection and then creating intermediate transformation equations that took into account the various movements of the Landsat satellite’s ground track as the satellite orbited the Earth.The figure shown here is an example of one of the basic Mercator map projections used by the U.S. Geological Survey. To learn more about the creation of the SOM projection, refer to “Projecting Time: John Parr Snyder and the Development of the Space Oblique Mercator Projection” by John W. Hessler.

Sun-synchronous polar orbit illustration showing key satellite parameters: 705 km nominal altitude, 98.2° inclination, 98.9-minute orbital period, and 9:45 A.M....

Sun-synchronous polar orbit illustration showing key satellite parameters: 705 km nominal altitude, 98.2° inclination, 98.9-minute orbital period, and 9:45 A.M. local crossing time. The diagram displays both the satellite's orbital path and its corresponding ground track across Earth's surface, demonstrating how polar-orbiting satellites achieve global coverage.

Like all of the Landsat satellites, Landsat-6 would have been in a sunscreen orbit had its launch been successful. The...

Like all of the Landsat satellites, Landsat-6 would have been in a sunscreen orbit had its launch been successful. The L6 Handbook tells us, “Establishment of the sun-synchronous orbit provides for minimal variation of solar illuminations at the spacecraft and at the observed Earth scene. This occurs because of the near constancy of the geometry between the orbit plane and the sun vector. By achieving the correct combinations of altitude and orbit inclination, the orbit will precess about the geographic North Pole in the same direction (west to east) and at the same annual rate as the apparent Sun’s motion relative to the Earth. The geometry of the orbit-Earth-Sun relationship by season is shown in [this figure]. This figure also indicates how ground scene illumination is affected by changes in season. Such seasonal variations also have an impact on illumination at the spacecraft.”

Satellite imaging geometry showing the relationship between orbital path and data collection. The illustration depicts a scanning sensor capturing 16...

Satellite imaging geometry showing the relationship between orbital path and data collection. The illustration depicts a scanning sensor capturing 16 lines per scan across a 187.2 km swath width, with 30-meter pixel resolution in both dimensions. The active scan occurs perpendicular to the spacecraft's direction of travel, demonstrating how Earth observation satellites systematically image the surface below.

Multispectral Scanner (MSS) imaging concept showing the relationship between satellite position and ground coverage pattern. The diagram illustrates how the...

Multispectral Scanner (MSS) imaging concept showing the relationship between satellite position and ground coverage pattern. The diagram illustrates how the scanner captures six scan lines simultaneously during each mirror sweep, creating 79 m pixels across a 185 km swath containing approximately 3240 pixels per line. As the satellite moves in its orbit, it creates 2340 scan lines to form a complete image scene, demonstrating the whiskbroom scanning technique used in early Earth observation satellites.

Landsat TDRSS (Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System) communication architecture showing the three-satellite constellation (TDRS-East, TDRS-West, TDRS-Spare) and their coverage...

Landsat TDRSS (Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System) communication architecture showing the three-satellite constellation (TDRS-East, TDRS-West, TDRS-Spare) and their coverage zones. The diagram illustrates the global relay network with the White Sands Ground Terminal as the central hub, highlighting the small polar "Zone of Exclusion" where satellite visibility is limited. The world map demonstrates how the overlapping coverage areas provide near-global data relay capability for Landsat operations.

This schematic diagram depicts the behavior of a perfectly diffuse, or Lambertian, surface. This diagram appears in the The Landsat...

Bidirectional reflectance geometry diagram showing the angular relationships in remote sensing measurements. The hemisphere represents the viewing dome with zenith at top and cardinal directions marked. Various angles (θs, θD, θR) and vectors (RT, RD, RR) illustrate the relationships between incoming light source, surface reflection point, and observation direction. This framework is essential for understanding how surface reflectance varies with illumination and viewing geometry in satellite remote sensing applications.

Diagram showing satellite imagery grid systems with WRS (Worldwide Reference System) grid boundaries. On the left is a vertical strip...

Diagram showing satellite imagery grid systems with WRS (Worldwide Reference System) grid boundaries. On the left is a vertical strip of 11 numbered scenes, and to the right is a wider strip with scenes 4-7 visible. A detailed view shows a single scene (#5) with dimensions of 185 km width and 184 km height, with a 7.5% overlap between adjacent scenes.

Diagram illustrating the Space Oblique Mercator projection used for satellite imagery. A globe with latitude/longitude grid is shown inside a...

Diagram illustrating the Space Oblique Mercator projection used for satellite imagery. A globe with latitude/longitude grid is shown inside a cylindrical projection surface with a scanner satellite at the top. A dashed line indicates the satellite's ground track across Earth. Text notes that this projection images Earth from N 82° to S 82° every 18 days.

This schematic appears in the handbook that accompanied the1983 Landsat Short Course lecture on “TM Data Processing and Correction” that...

This schematic appears in the handbook that accompanied the1983 Landsat Short Course lecture on “TM Data Processing and Correction” that was given by Jeff Dozier of UCSB. To continually map the Earth’s surface using Landsat data, an entirely new projection had to be created. This new projection was created by John Parr Snyder and is known as the Space Oblique Mercator (SOM) projection. This projection has been referred to as, “one of the most complex projections ever devised” by Library of Congress cartographic historian, John W. Hessler. John Parr Snyder began his calculations for the SOM projection using the most basic form of the equations for the Mercator projection and then creating intermediate transformation equations that took into account the various movements of the Landsat satellite’s ground track as the satellite orbited the Earth.The figure shown here is an example of one of the basic Mercator map projections used by the U.S. Geological Survey. To learn more about the creation of the SOM projection, refer to “Projecting Time: John Parr Snyder and the Development of the Space Oblique Mercator Projection” by John W. Hessler.

Landsat satellite viewing geometry diagram illustrating the relationship between satellite position, Earth's WGS84 ellipsoid reference frame, and the ground footprint...

Landsat satellite viewing geometry diagram illustrating the relationship between satellite position, Earth's WGS84 ellipsoid reference frame, and the ground footprint of the sensor's observation area.

Graphic comparing the spectral bands of Landsat 1, 2, 3, and Landsat D along the electromagnetic spectrum.

A black and white graphic comparing graphics between Landsat 1&2, Landsat 3, and Landsat D.