Landsat Data Continuity Mission: Creating a Unique Government-Industry Partnership for Global Research

摘要

For over 30 years Landsat satellites have continually collected synoptic images of the Earth's continental surfaces to support global change research. The Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) is the component of the Landsat Program that will follow Landsat-7, and is being conducted in a collaborative effort with private industry for the production of a commercially owned and operated system. This paper explores the managerial, and political challenges faced by the LDCM Team in developing the approaches and strategies to implement the mission. It also covers the acquisition strategy, the opportunity for private industry expansion of the remote sensing marketplace, and lessons learned to-date.