The Expanding Legacy of Landsat – Documenting Environmental Change Beyond Five Decades

Project Description:

The joint NASA USGS Landsat mission will turn 50 years old in July 2022. The imagery acquired by the satellite sensors from this long-term mission provide a wealth of data for understanding the Earth’s land surface and near-shore waters nearly from pole to pole. With the launch of the latest Landsat 9 scheduled for late September 2021 from near where the first satellite in the series was launched from in 1972, further insights on environmental change can be assessed across space and time. Searching for powerful stories of change is the overall goal of this project including how to visualize and document such changes to ensure that the visionary thinking of the original program can be celebrated in its 50th year.

Depending on the interests of the applicant, projects can be pursued over forests, fields, aquatic, urban, and cryospheric areas. The goal will be to create visual and quantitative change assessments that can be used in educational, research, and outreach settings. Enabling people from around the globe to ‘see and understand’ changes that are happening as our climate warms and ecosystems respond, will be an appropriate tribute to the continuing, long-term goals of the Landsat program. To apply, please visit the following website: NASA Intern, click on Interns > Apply Now and create a student profile on NASA STEM Gateway.