The NASA Agency Program Management Council unanimously approved the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) to proceed to into Phase D following a Key Decision Point-D (KDP-D) review at NASA Headquarters on November 8, 2011. Phase D is the final development phase of the NASA satellite mission life cycle prior to launch. This phase includes the final assembly and testing of the integrated satellite system and the launch of the satellite. The Agency Program Management Council conducts a Key Decision Point review of satellite system development prior to the initiation of each phase in the life cycle and the successful KDP-D represents a major milestone for LDCM. LDCM development is on schedule for a December 2012 launch date.
![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.