The Australian Government and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) signed into effect their partnership for the upcoming Landsat Next satellite mission on 21 March 2024 to enhance the ability of governments to sustainably manage their land, surface water and resource use.

With a robust historical archive of the Earth’s surface, Landsat satellites have been collecting imagery since the 1970s – the longest space-based record to date. Landsat data has been fundamental to tracking the changes in forest cover over time as well as the varied carbon impacts from forest cover loss and gain. As a freely available resource, its value to countries and organizations in forest and carbon monitoring is tremendous.

Landsat is the product of a partnership between the USGS and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), whereas Australia has maintained partnership in the Landsat programme through Geoscience Australia for nearly 50-years. As partners of the Global Forest Observations Initiative (GFOI), their ongoing collaboration is crucial to facilitating public access to key remote sensing products for improved forest and carbon monitoring. 

Learn more

For more information, please peruse the following links:

• Factsheet: USGS Landsat Next
• News story: USGS and Australia to continue partnership in Landsat Next satellite mission
• Press release: Australia to join US satellite program in Landsat 2030 International Partnerships Initiative
• Website: NASA Landsat Next Visualization Studio
• Website: USGS Landsat Next