Earth Resources Observation and Science Center

Earth Resources Observation and Science Center
Name	Earth Resources Observation and Science Center
Formation	1973
Type	Federal research and data center
Headquarters	Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
Parent organization	United States Geological Survey
Website	https://www.usgs.gov/centers/eros

Earth Resources Observation and Science Center. The Earth Resources Observation and Science Center is a premier facility of the United States Geological Survey dedicated to the acquisition, archiving, and distribution of land remote sensing data. Located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, it operates as a critical national archive for satellite imagery and aerial photography, supporting a wide range of scientific research and policy decisions. Its work underpins studies in climate change, land use, natural resource management, and environmental monitoring across the globe.

History and establishment

The center was formally established in 1973 following the launch of the first Landsat satellite, a joint project between NASA and the USGS. Its creation was driven by the need for a dedicated federal repository to manage the unprecedented volume of Earth observation data being collected from space. The selection of Sioux Falls was influenced by its central location within the United States and its clear atmospheric conditions. Over the decades, the facility has expanded significantly, evolving from handling data from the early Landsat 1 mission to becoming the steward for a vast collection from numerous international satellites like Sentinel-2 and commercial providers.

Mission and objectives

The primary mission is to provide a long-term, impartial record of the Earth's surface to support scientific understanding and responsible resource stewardship. Key objectives include preserving the nation's historical and current remote sensing data assets, ensuring free and open access to this data for all users, and advancing the science of land remote sensing. This work directly supports the goals of the Department of the Interior and broader national initiatives such as the U.S. Global Change Research Program. The center aims to turn raw data into actionable information for addressing challenges like deforestation, water scarcity, and urban expansion.

Facilities and infrastructure

The main campus in Sioux Falls houses one of the largest civilian collections of remotely sensed imagery in the world, stored in a state-of-the-art digital archive. Core infrastructure includes high-performance computing systems for massive data processing and the Landsat Ground Network for receiving direct satellite downlinks. The facility also features specialized laboratories for calibration and validation of sensor data, ensuring the scientific integrity of its products. A separate facility, the USGS EROS Center - North by Northwest, provides additional office and technical space to support the growing workforce and collaborative projects.

Key programs and research

Central to its research portfolio is the Landsat program, for which the center serves as the primary ground station and archive, managing the continuous record from Landsat 4 through the current Landsat 9. Other major initiatives include the Hazards Data Distribution System for disaster response and the Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection program. Scientists at the center conduct leading research in land cover and land use change, carbon cycle science, and geospatial analysis techniques. These efforts often support specific agency directives, such as the Water Availability and Use Science Program and the 3D Elevation Program.

Data products and services

The center distributes a foundational suite of data products, most notably the geometrically and radiometrically corrected Landsat Collection 2 data. It provides free access through platforms like EarthExplorer, Glovis, and the LandsatLook Viewer. Specialized higher-level products include Digital Elevation Models from sources like SRTM and ASTER, land cover classifications from the National Land Cover Database, and data from the Global Fiducials Library. These services are utilized by a diverse global user community, including researchers at University of Maryland, analysts at the United Nations Environment Programme, and planners at state agencies like the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Partnerships and collaborations

The center maintains extensive partnerships across government, academia, and industry. It works closely with NASA on satellite missions like Landsat 9 and the upcoming Landsat Next. International collaborations are key, including long-standing agreements with the European Space Agency for Sentinel-2 data and participation in the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites. It also collaborates with other USGS science centers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. These partnerships are essential for data sharing, joint research ventures, and developing next-generation applications in Earth observation.

Category:United States Geological Survey Category:Earth observation satellites Category:Research institutes in South Dakota Category:Scientific organizations based in the United States