Landsat 2

Landsat 2 was launched on January 22, 1975, two and a half years after Landsat 1. The second Landsat was still considered an experimental project and was operated by NASA.

Landsat 2 carried the same sensors as its predecessor: the Return Beam Vidicon (RBV) and the Multispectral Scanner System (MSS).

On February 25, 1982 after seven years of service, Landsat 2 was removed from operations due to yaw control problems; it was offically decommissioned on July 27, 1983.

Artist’s conception of Landsat 2 satellite in orbit.
Artist’s conception of Landsat 2 satellite in orbit.

Quick Facts

  • Launch Date: January 22, 1975
  • Status: removed from operational status: February 5, 1982; decommissioned: July 27, 1983
  • Sensors: RBV, MSS
  • Altitude: nominally 900 km
  • Inclination: 99.2°
  • Orbit: polar, sun-synchronous
  • Equatorial Crossing Time: nominally 9:42 AM mean local time (descending node)
  • Period of Revolution: 103 minutes; ~14 orbits/day
  • Repeat Coverage: 18 days

Landsat 2

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Landsat 1 • Landsat 2 • Landsat 3 • Landsat 4 • Landsat 5 • Landsat 6 • Landsat 7 • Landsat 8

Artist's conception of Landsat 2 satellite in orbit.
Artist’s conception of Landsat 2 satellite in orbit.

Landsat 2 was launched on January 22, 1975, two and a half years after Landsat 1. The second Landsat was still considered an experimental project and was operated by NASA.
Landsat 2 carried the same sensors as its predecessor: the Return Beam Vidicon (RBV) and the Multispectral Scanner System (MSS).
On February 25, 1982 after seven years of service, Landsat 2 was removed from operations due to yaw control problems; it was offically decommissioned on July 27, 1983.
More History

More Technical Details