NASA | Earth Observing Landsat 5 Turns 25 Years Old

Landsat 5, launched in 1984 with a 3-year design life, has exceeded expectations by operating for over 25 years. It has traveled over 130,000 times around Earth, capturing more than 700,000 images. The satellite's longevity is attributed to the dedication and skill of its engineering team, who overcame numerous challenges and mission anomalies. Landsat 5's data has been crucial for Earth observation, providing a continuous record of our planet's changing landscapes. Its success is a testament to the commitment of the team and the mission's importance.

What was the initial design life of Landsat 5?

• 25 years

• 10 years

• 3 years

• 5 years

By its 25th birthday, how many images had Landsat 5 captured?

• 500,000 images

• 700,000 images

• 1 million images

• 300,000 images

What aspect of Landsat 5's mission is highlighted as particularly enchanting?

• The size of the satellite

• The cost of the mission

• The beauty of the images

• The speed of data transmission

How many mission anomalies did the engineers overcome to keep Landsat 5 operational?

• 22

• 30

• 15

• 10

What was a key factor in the continued operation of Landsat 5?

• The satellite's size

• The mission's popularity

• The low cost of maintenance

• The need for its data