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.
Commodity Classic: Landsat Supports Farmers and Food Production
Landsat was part of the NASA Earth Science presence at the 2024 Commodity Classic in Houston this year.