Landsat satellites, launched as Earth Resources Technology Satellites (ERTS), pioneered satellite remote sensing from 1972 onwards. The first generation, Landsats 1, 2 and 3, paved the path for modern remote sensing. Even the first Landsats were very successful. The second generation, Landsats, 4 and 5, were very successful too despite serious technical problems at the beginning of their missions. Landsat 4 lost almost half of its solar power shortly after launch while Landsat 5 lost two of its primary communications systems, although backups were activated. Landsats cannot beat modern satellites in spatial resolution but their wide spectral resolutions are welcomed for many practical applications in remote sensing. Landsat 4 was terminated in 1993 after 11 years of service while Landsat 5, launched in 1984, is still functioning.

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