IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 891 

Celebrating 35 years of space-based observations of the Earth by the Landsat 

spacecraft and looking forward to sustaining the longest unbroken record 

of civil Earth observations of the land. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

DECEMBER 18, 2007 

Mr. UDALL of Colorado (for himself and Mr. REGULA) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Science and Technology 

RESOLUTION 

Celebrating 35 years of space-based observations of the 

Earth by the Landsat spacecraft and looking forward 

to sustaining the longest unbroken record of civil Earth 

observations of the land. 

Whereas the year 2007 represents 35 years of continuous collection of space-based observations of the Earth’s land 

cover by the United States Landsat satellites, which have 

enabled increased scientific understanding of the interrelationships of the Earth’s land cover, energy balance, 

and biogeochemical processes as well as the realization of 

numerous societal benefits from the applied uses of the 

data; 

Whereas on July 23, 1972, the National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration launched Landsat 1, originally 


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•HRES 891 IH 

called the Earth Resources Technology Satellite, as the 

first civilian Earth observation satellite to study the 

Earth’s land cover and monitor natural resources; 

Whereas since 1972, the Landsat program has continued to 

collect data without interruption through the successful 

launches of Landsats 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7, and has established the longest and most comprehensive record of global land surface data ever collected; 

Whereas Landsat greatly enhanced remote sensing science, 

helped give rise to a global change research plan and 

international initiatives to study the Earth system, and 

led to new types of careers in engineering and natural 

sciences; 

Whereas Landsat data have been used for multiple scientific 

and applied purposes including cartography, land surveys 

and land use planning, agricultural forecasting, water resource management, forest management, mapping of sea 

ice movement, assessment of tropical deforestation, food 

security, mineral and oil exploration, and global change 

research; 

Whereas Landsat data are being widely used by Federal, 

local, county, and State governments, and by foreign nations, nongovernmental organizations, private industry, 

and universities; 

Whereas Landsat data are collected at a scale that enables 

the study of both natural and human-induced changes in 

land cover over time and their impacts on the Earth’s 

ecosystems; 

Whereas Landsat data illuminated for the first time how 

human decisions, such as the expansion of cities, led to 

large-scale impacts on the environment; 


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Whereas the U.S. Climate Change Science Program has recognized Landsat and its long-term data record as instrumental to the study of climate and environmental change, 

noting that ‘‘Landsat data are invaluable for studying 

the land surface and how it affects and is affected by climate’’; and 

Whereas the scientific and societal benefits of the Landsat 

program and its 35-year data record illustrate the significant return on the public investment in Earth observations and the need for continued support for this critical 

national asset: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) expresses its appreciation to all of the dedi3 cated scientists, engineers, and program personnel 

4 who have contributed to the successful development 

5 and operation of the Landsat program over the past 

6 35 years; 

7 (2) urges the continuation of the Landsat pro8 gram and data record so as to sustain Landsat’s 

9 value to scientific research, especially the study of 

10 global and climate change, and to the myriad applied 

11 uses of the data for societal benefit; and 

12 (3) believes that the Nation should continue to 

13 support the research, technological improvements, 

14 educational outreach, and development of decision 

15 making tools required to expand the use of Landsat 


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1 data separately and as integrated with other Earth 

2 observations data. 

Æ 


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