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.

STELLA: A DIY Handheld Scientific Instrument
If you are looking for a do-it-yourself (DIY) handheld spectrometer, you need to meet STELLA. STELLA (Science and Technology Education for Land/Life Assessment) is a portable scientific instrument developed by