Landsat 3

Landsat 3 was the third satellite in the Landsat program, a joint initiative of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and NASA. Launched on March 5, 1978, it continued the Earth observation mission of its predecessors, Landsat 1 and Landsat 2. The primary objective of Landsat 3 was to acquire multispectral images of the Earth's surface, providing valuable data for land use mapping, resource exploration, environmental monitoring, and agricultural assessments.

Landsat 3 carried two main instruments: the Multispectral Scanner System (MSS) and the Return Beam Vidicon (RBV) camera system. The MSS acquired data in four spectral bands, spanning the visible and near-infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The RBV, although intended as a primary instrument, experienced early operational difficulties and provided limited data. Landsat 3 provided improved spatial resolution compared to earlier Landsat missions.

The data acquired by Landsat 3 was used extensively by scientists, government agencies, and other organizations worldwide for a variety of applications. These included mapping changes in land cover, monitoring deforestation, assessing crop health, and studying geological features.

Landsat 3 was decommissioned on September 7, 1983, after more than five years of operation. While its lifespan was shorter than some other Landsat missions, it made a significant contribution to the understanding of Earth's resources and environment. The data it collected continues to be used in retrospective studies and long-term trend analyses.