NASA launches new Landsat satellite to assess land and water use over time

CINCINNATI - NASA launched a new, high tech satellite on Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. The Landsat Data Continuity Mission, or LDCM, was sent into space around 2 p.m. It will look at land and water use over time. This satellite is important, not only for a look at the world, but the Ohio Valley as well.

Landsat images have been the foundation of modern maps like Google Maps and Google Earth. The data also helps scientists study the Earth’s landscape as it’s changing. We talked to NASA scientist, Doug Morton, about Landsat satellites and why they are important.

Morton says, “The Landsat series is one of the most important tools we have for studying natural phenomenon such as floods and landslides. We have a record of over 40 years now of data. That record shows us the changes over time and wet years and dry years and these images are used directly by land managers as they consider the regions that are prone to flooding and have to plan for future flood, as well as for clean up after a current disaster.”

The LDCM satellite launch comes with a hefty price tag for taxpayers… $850 million! NASA believes it’s an incredible investment though because the data will help the way we do science, business and live our lives. The best part? The data and images are free and open to the public. In fact, you can zoom right into your neighborhood!

Go to landsatlook.usgs.gov/ for the Landsatlook Viewer to zoom into YOUR neighborhood!

Click on the video above to see the entire interview with NASA. There’s additional information…melting of glaciers, global warming, and even how the Supreme Court uses Landsat data. (Mobile and tablet users, go to a browser version of WCPO.com to view the video).

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