What series of U.S. satellites is known for gathering images of the Earth's land surface?

The Landsat series of satellites is renowned for its role in capturing detailed images of the Earth's land surface. This program began in the early 1970s and has provided a continuous record of Earth's land use and land cover changes over several decades. The data obtained from Landsat satellites is crucial for various applications, including agriculture, forestry, land planning, and environmental monitoring, as it offers a comprehensive view of vegetation, urban development, and natural disasters.

Each Landsat satellite is equipped with sensors that can capture images across different spectral bands, allowing for detailed analysis of land characteristics. This capability supports critical research, policy making, and resource management efforts around the globe.

In contrast, GOES satellites primarily focus on weather monitoring and atmospheric observations. MODIS is a sensor onboard the Terra and Aqua satellites, intended for studying global dynamics and processes, including land, ocean, and atmosphere, but isn't confined to just land surface imagery. SMAP is focused on measuring soil moisture levels, which is vital for understanding droughts and agriculture, rather than providing imagery of the land surface itself.