NASA's new Landsat Science Team gathered for its first in-person meeting from May 5 to 7 at the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Co-moderated by Landsat 8, 9, and 10 Project Scientist Chris Neigh, the three-day event formally introduced the team members who will serve from 2026 through 2030.
The meeting comes as the Landsat program prepares for Landsat Next, a trio of observatories designed to provide 26-band spectral data at higher spatial and temporal resolutions than current missions. The new science team will guide algorithm development, calibration strategies, and scientific applications for this next-generation constellation.
Landsat 8 and 9 currently orbit Earth, capturing global imagery every eight days. Landsat 10, initially planned as a single satellite, has evolved into the more ambitious Landsat Next architecture. The team's work will help ensure continuity of the 50-plus year Landsat record while expanding its scientific utility.
This transition is critical for monitoring agricultural health, forest change, urban expansion, and water resources. The new team's findings will inform policy on climate adaptation and land management.
Countering this momentum, budget uncertainties and technical risks from developing three spacecraft simultaneously could delay Landsat Next's planned launch, potentially creating a data gap if current satellites degrade faster than expected.