The 2026-2030 Landsat Science Team recently convened at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for its inaugural in-person meeting. Co-moderated by Project Scientist Chris Neigh, the three-day summit brought together key leaders from NASA and the USGS to define a strategic vision for the Landsat program through the end of the decade. The gathering focused on advancing mission capabilities, including the upcoming Landsat 10 project and the development of Collection 3 data products.

During the sessions, participants reviewed the progress of critical interagency and international collaborations, such as the Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 (HLS) data products. The discussions underscored the vital role Landsat data plays across a wide array of scientific disciplines, ranging from agricultural monitoring and water resource management to volcanic activity tracking and atmospheric studies. By aligning these efforts, the team aims to ensure the continued delivery of high-quality, actionable data to the global scientific community.

Technical working groups addressed several high-priority areas for future data processing. In the field of surface reflectance, experts focused on enhancing cloud masking and topography corrections. Discussions regarding temperature and emissivity emphasized the importance of maintaining archive consistency and preparing for the integration of five thermal bands with the Landsat 10 mission. However, experts also raised concerns regarding aquatic reflectance, noting that the projected 18-day repeat cycle for Landsat 10 could limit the ability to monitor highly dynamic events, such as harmful algal blooms, highlighting a need for increased investment in validation infrastructure.

Finally, the team explored complex logistical challenges involving projection, tiling, and pixel grid nesting. While endorsing a plan for nested grids, the group recommended further analysis to optimize storage costs and manage pixel replication errors. The roadmap generated from these sessions provides a clear path forward for the Landsat program, ensuring that Earth observation technology remains at the forefront of global environmental and scientific research.