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Hankui Zhang, associate professor in South Dakota State University's Department of Geography and Geospatial Sciences, will support the world's longest-running Earth observation mission. 

The U.S. Geological Survey and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration have been jointly running the world's longest-running Earth observation mission, the Landsat program. Since 1972, Landsat has continuously imaged Earth, creating the longest record of our planet's surface and helping scientist better understand agriculture, food security, the environment, water resources, urban planning and many other areas of science and society.

Recently, South Dakota State University's Hankui Zhang, associate professor in the Department of Geography and Geospatial Sciences and a scientist in the Geospatial Sciences Center of Excellence,  

“It is an honor to be selected as a Landsat Science Team member," Zhang said. "The Landsat program has been the cornerstone of global Earth observation for over five decades. I look forward to working with the U.S. Geological Survey, NASA and fellow team members to advance the scientific use of Landsat data and ensure its continued impact on research, resource management and society.”

During the five-year funding period, Zhang will work in collaboration with David Roy and his team from Michigan State University to develop advanced algorithms to make Landsat data analysis ready. The algorithms will be applicable for both historical data dating to the 1970s and future Landsat missions launching in the 2030s.

Zhang’s research focuses on improving how Landsat images are corrected when they are taken under different viewing angles, sun positions and atmospheric conditions. These differences can cause visual and measurement errors, making it harder to compare images taken at different times or locations. By using Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function normalization — a technique Zhang has specialized in for more than 10 years — his work reduces these inconsistencies and produces more accurate, consistent satellite data. As a result, Landsat data becomes easier to use, more reliable for long-term studies and accessible to a wider global audience, helping scientists better understand and respond to environmental changes in a rapidly evolving world.

“Being named to the Landsat Science Team recognizes the significance of Dr. Zhang’s research and its global impact,” said Bob Watrel, head of SDSU’s Department of Geography and Geospatial Sciences. “His work to improve the accuracy and usability of Landsat data strengthens a mission foundational to Earth observation and highlights SDSU’s leadership in geospatial and remote sensing science."

The Landsat Science Team brings together experts from universities, private industry, and federal and international agencies to help the U.S. Geological Survey and NASA ensure Landsat continues delivering trusted, publicly available data that supports disaster response, agricultural management, water resources, land stewardship and reinforces the United States' global leadership in Earth observation.