Operations of Landsat 7 in bumper mode were successfully tested over several geometric calibration sites on Mar. 3 and 19. Currently, the motion of Landsat 7’s scan mirror during imaging is controlled with the Scan Angle Monitor (SAM). However, the scan mirror assembly will wear over time and impede the instrument’s ability to synchronize the calibration shutter with the scan mirror. This is predicted to happen between Mar. 2007 and Jan. 2008. When this occurs, operations will be switched to bumper mode. Landsat 5 has been operating in bumper mode since 2002.
![Natural-color Landsat 8 image of an algae bloom in Lake Erie. The bloom appears green and contrasts with blue water.](https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/erie_oli_2017269-1024x576.jpg)
Be Part of What’s Next: Emerging Applications of Landsat at AGU24
Anyone making innovative use of Landsat data to meet societal needs today and during coming decades is encouraged to submit and abstract for the upcoming “Emerging Science Applications of Landsat” session at AGU24.