Landsat 5 (TM)

Since 1984, Landsat 5 has gathered more than 700,000 images and observed climate change, agricultural practices, development and urbanization of cities, ecosystem evolution, and increasing demand for natural resources.

The Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) sensor was carried on Landsat 4 and Landsat 5, and created images consisting of six spectral bands with a spatial resolution of 30 meters for Bands 1-5 and 7, and one thermal band (Band 6). The approximate scene size is 170 km north-south and 183 km east-west (106 mi by 114 mi). TM could not resolve individual houses or trees, but it could record areas where houses had been constructed or forests had been cleared.

LANDSAT 5 (TM) CHARACTERISTICS
Characteristic	Description
Participants	NASA NOAA EOSAT DOI USGS GE
Launch Date	March 1, 1984
Vehicle	Delta 3920
Site	Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
Spacecraft	3-axis stabilized, zero momentum with control of 0.01 deg using reaction wheels Aluminum with graphite struts Hydrazine propulsion system Single solar array with 1-axis articulation Three Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries provide 100 Ampere-Hour (AHr ) total Retractable boom (4 m long) with 2 powered joints supports the articulated High Gain Antenna, which downlinked data via the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) Communications system uses S,X,L, and Ku Bands Weight: approximately 4,800 lbs (2,200 kg)
Communications	Direct downlink with TDRSS Data rate: 85 Mbps Quantization: 8 bit (256 levels)
Orbit	Worldwide Reference System-2 (WRS-2) path/row system Circular, sun-synchronous, near-polar orbit at an altitude of 705 km (438 mi) Inclined at 98.2° Repeat cycle: 16 days Swath width: 185 km (115 mi) Equatorial crossing time: 9:45 a.m. +/- 15 minutes
Sensors	Multispectral Scanner (MSS) Thematic Mapper (TM)
Scene size	170 km x 185 km (106 mi x 115 mi)
Design life	Minumum of 3 years

LANDSAT 5 (TM) BANDS
Sensor	Band number	Band name	Wavelength (μm)	Resolution (m)	Band Applications
TM	Band number1	Band nameVisible Blue	Wavelength (μm)0.45 – 0.52	Resolution (m)30	Band ApplicationsBathymetric mapping, distinguishing soil from vegetation, and deciduous from coniferous vegetation
TM	Band number2	Band nameVisible Green	Wavelength (μm)0.52 – 0.60	Resolution (m)30	Band ApplicationsEmphasizes peak vegetation, which is useful for assessing plant vigor
TM	Band number3	Band nameVisible Red	Wavelength (μm)0.63 – 0.69	Resolution (m)30	Band ApplicationsDiscriminates vegetation slopes
TM	Band number4	Band nameNIR	Wavelength (μm)0.76 – 0.90	Resolution (m)30	Band ApplicationsEmphasizes biomass content and shorelines
TM	Band number5	Band nameSWIR 1	Wavelength (μm)1.55 – 1.75	Resolution (m)30	Band ApplicationsDiscriminates moisture content of soil and vegetation; penetrates thin clouds
TM	Band number6	Band nameThermal	Wavelength (μm)10.40 – 12.50	Resolution (m)120	Band ApplicationsThermal mapping and estimated soil moisture
TM	Band number7	Band nameSWIR 2	Wavelength (μm)2.08 – 2.35	Resolution (m)30	Band ApplicationsHydrothermally altered rocks associated with mineral deposits

Ready?

We’re here to help! Ask us anything, or schedule a customized demo.

Get familiar with the Platform by exploring your very own demo account.

get started