The goal of MSS calibration and validation activities was to verify the accuracy and quality of data the instrument acquired.
Explore Multi Spectral Scanner (MSS)
Multi Spectral Scanner (MSS)
About MSS
The Multi Spectral Scanner (MSS) instrument was carried aboard the Landsat 1 to 5 missions between 1972 and 2013. Global MSS acquisitions ended in 1999, even though Landsat 4 and 5 were still active.
MSS was built by SBRC (Santa Barbara Research Center) of Hughes Aircraft Company in Goleta, CA.
The objective of MSS was to provide repetitive daytime acquisition of high-resolution, multispectral data of the Earth's surface on a global basis and to demonstrate that remote sensing from space is a feasible and practical approach to efficient management of the Earth's resources.
The Multi Spectral Scanner (MSS) on the Landsat 1 to 5 missions was an opto-mechanical scanning instrument (whiskbroom technique, unidirectional operation) consisting of a double reflector-type telescope, scanning mirror, filters, detectors, and associated electronics. The MSS instrument had a spatial resolution of approximately 79 metres with four bands ranging from the visible blue to the Near Infra-Red (NIR).
| Swath Width | 185 km |
| IFOV | 68 m |
| Cross-track Resolution | 56 m |
| Along-track Resolution | 79 m |
| Bands |
Band 4: Visible green (0.5 to 0.6 µm) Band 5: Visible red (0.6 to 0.7 µm) Band 6: Near-Infrared (0.7 to 0.8 µm) Band 7: Near-Infrared (0.8 to 1.1 µm) The thermal band 8, 10.4-12.6 µm, was also part of the Landsat 3 MSS, however, the channel failed shortly after launch |
MSS Data
DATA DOWNLOAD
Download data from Landsat 1 to 5 missions through the ESA TPM Online Dissemination system. The data is freely available to registered EO Sign In users.
- Landsat MSS CPF files: MSS Calibration Parameter Files
DATA DESCRIPTION
ESA offers to registered user the access through the Online Dissemination server to the following data collection
- Landsat MSS ESA archive: Landsat 1 to 5 MSS Level 1 GEO (geometrically corrected, L1G) and GTC (geometrically and terrain corrected, L1T) products acquired by ESA stations
Further information is available on the Products Information page.
Processor Releases
Read more about the processor releases for MSS.
MSS Cal/Val
MSS Quality Control Reports
Quality Control is monitoring routinely the status of the spacecraft (payload and platform) and to check if the derived products meet the quality requirements along mission life-time.
