Landsat and thermal infrared imaging

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to describe the collection of thermal images by Landsat sensors already on orbit and to introduce a new Landsat thermal sensor. The chapter describes the Landsat 4 and 5 thematic mapper (TM) and Landsat 7 enhanced thematic mapper plus (ETM+) sensors, the calibration of their thermal bands, and the design and prelaunch calibration of the new thermal infrared sensor (TIRS). The TIRS will be launched in February 2013 on the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) satellite, which will be renamed to Landsat 8 after it reaches orbit. Continuity of the data record has always been a priority for the Landsat project. The TIRS will extend the unique Landsat thermal data archive begun in 1978 that supports, among other applications, water resource management in the western United States and global agricultural monitoring studies. The TIRS also introduces improved technology and data quality, both of which are discussed in the chapter.