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USGS › Geography › Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center |
![]() Apollo 11 |
![]() Shuttle Discovery |
USGS maintains a copy of convenience for select space acquired photography provided by NASA.
Collections include:
Gemini photography was acquired between March 23, 1965 and November 15, 1966. The images were collected as part of the Synoptic Terrain Photography and the Synoptic Weather Photography experiments during Gemini Missions III through XII. Hand-held cameras were used to obtain photographs of geologic, oceanic, and meteorologic targets. The Gemini archive consists primarily of 70-mm black and white (B/W), color, and color-infrared (CIR) film. All Gemini photographs are distributed by the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center as digital products only.
Skylab photography was acquired between May 22, 1973 and February 8, 1974 during three manned flights. The Skylab Earth Resources Experiment Package used two photographic remote sensing systems. The Multispectral Photographic Camera (S190A), was a six-camera array, in which each camera used 70-mm film and a six-inch focal length lens. The acquired film ranges from narrow-band B/W to broad-band color and CIR. The Earth Terrain Camera (S190B) consisted of a single high-resolution camera which used five-inch film and an 18-inch focal length lens. The acquired film includes B/W, black and white infrared (BIR), color, and CIR. All Skylab photographs are distributed by the USGS EDC as digital products only.
Shuttle Large Format Camera (LFC) images were acquired from the Space Shuttle Challenger Mission on October 5-13, 1984. The LFC was mounted in the cargo bay, and was operated via signals from ground controllers. The archived imagery includes 9 x 18 inch B/W, natural color, and CIR film. Shuttle LFC photographs are distributed by the USGS EDC as digital products only.
Additional Information:
After October 1, 2009, the USGS film archive collections will be systematically scanned to a standard format High Resolution 25 micron digital image (excluding Declassified Satellite Imagery which will be scanned to 7 micron) and also offered to the public at no charge.
Obviously, the task to create, store and distribute millions of High Resolution Scanned Photographic imagery is extremely challenging, costly and time consuming. With just consideration to the portion of the film collection that will receive highest scanning priority because physical vinegar syndrome deterioration risk, we have an expected 3 to 4 years of work. A scanning plan will be posted on the USGS EROS website with sufficient detail to allow users to review the overall schedule. It will show which collection are currently being worked on, and what progress has been made.
National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) and National High Altitude Photography (NHAP) will have a lower priority in the scanning schedule and therefore not available for on request scanning for the EROS archive. However, the medium resolution data for these and other film collections will continue to be offered for download at no charge. If High Resolution Scanned images are required for the NAPP and NHAP data sets, we encourage customers to contact the USDA’s Aerial Photography Field Office (APFO) for information on their products, prices, and services (http://www.apfo.usda.gov).
The file sizes are approximately 15 megabytes for black and white images and 40 megabytes for color images. The files are stored in a TIFF format. The medium-resolution files are created at approximately 400 dpi.
Skylab Gemini |
EarthExplorer |
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Space Shuttle Large Format Camera | EarthExplorer |
Once Space Acquired Photography imagery has been digitized, products can be downloaded on EarthExplorer.
Businesses that can provide printed images from USGS digital data.
Space Acquired Photography are also distributed by the Earth Data Analysis Center (EDAC), and NASA Earth Sciences & Image Analysis. Each distribution site will vary in the products and services they provide.
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