The recent in-person gathering of the 2026-2030 Landsat Science Team at the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center in Sioux Falls, SD, marks a pivotal moment in the program's history. This three-day event, co-moderated by Chris Neigh, the Landsat 8, 9, and 10 Project Scientist, brought together leaders from USGS and NASA to chart a course for the upcoming five years. The meeting's primary focus was on the Landsat 10 project, ongoing interagency and international collaboration on Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 (HLS) data products, and detailed plans for Collection 3 (C3).
One of the key highlights of the meeting was the comprehensive status updates provided on the Landsat 10 project. The attendees received insights into the project's progress and the challenges it faces. However, what truly stood out was the far-reaching impact of Landsat data across various Earth science disciplines. From snow cover mapping and atmospheric correction to water quality monitoring and agricultural applications, the data's utility was evident.
The breakout sessions were particularly insightful, with experts drafting vital recommendations across four key technical areas. These recommendations serve as a roadmap for the new Landsat Science Team, ensuring that the global scientific community continues to receive high-quality, actionable Earth observation data through the end of the decade.
One of the most critical areas of focus was surface reflectance. The working group identified several priorities, including topography and adjacency corrections, Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) correction, and enhanced cloud masking with consistent approaches for HLS data products. The group's recommendations, such as incorporating CMIX2 cloud masking results into future collections and mapping out C3 toolkit dependencies for user-applied corrections, are essential for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of Landsat data.
Another area of focus was temperature and emissivity. The team recommended maintaining archive consistency, either by maintaining native resolution or standardizing to 60 meters, with additional testing specifically for volcano studies. They also endorsed using ASTER GED/CAMEL emissivity datasets and preparing for Landsat 10's five thermal bands through ECOSTRESS comparison. These recommendations are crucial for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of temperature and emissivity measurements.
The aquatic reflectance experts raised critical concerns regarding Landsat 10's planned 18-day repeat cycle, which severely limits the monitoring of highly dynamic processes such as harmful algal blooms. The group called for increased investment in validation infrastructure for inland waters coordinated with international CEOS efforts. They also strongly advised against pixelwise algorithm switching to prevent data discontinuities and emphasized the need for strict compliance with CEOS Aquatic Reflectance V2.0 standards.
Finally, the group reviewing projection and tiling endorsed the USGS pixel grid nesting plan, which spans 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, and 120 meters. However, they recommended further trade analysis to optimize pixel replication errors, manage storage costs, and ensure proper coordination with Sentinel-2 Next Generation. If these complex grid issues remain unresolved, the program should maintain the Collection 2 approach while continuing to refine Analysis Ready Data (ARD) products for CONUS, Hawaii, and Alaska.
In my opinion, the meeting was a significant step forward for the Landsat program. The recommendations generated during the breakout sessions provide a clear roadmap for the new Science Team, ensuring that the program continues to deliver high-quality, actionable Earth observation data. However, the challenges highlighted, such as the 18-day repeat cycle for Landsat 10 and the complex grid issues, will require continued attention and investment to ensure the program's long-term success. The meeting also underscored the importance of international collaboration and the need for a coordinated approach to addressing these challenges. Overall, the meeting was a powerful reminder of the critical role that Landsat plays in advancing our understanding of the Earth and its changing environment.
