Step-by-Step Guide to Downloading Landsat 9 Satellite Imagery for Free

Step 1: Access the USGS Earth Explorer Portal

To begin downloading Landsat 9 satellite imagery, you need to access the USGS Earth Explorer web portal. You can easily find it by searching for “USGS Earth Explorer” in your web browser or by visiting earth explorer dot usgs dot gov.

Step 2: Create an Account

Before you can download any data, you need to create an account with USGS. Click on the Login button and then select Create New Account. Fill in the required details such as username and password, and follow the prompts to complete the registration process.

Step 3: Log In

Once your account is created and confirmed via email, return to the USGS Earth Explorer portal. Enter your username and password to log in.

Step 4: Define Your Area of Interest

Use the map interface to navigate to your area of interest. For example, if you are looking for imagery of the southern part of Ireland, zoom in on that area. Make sure you are on the Polygon tab, and click to add vertices to create a polygon that outlines your area.

Step 5: Set Your Date Range

Specify a date range for the imagery you want to download. Keep in mind the timelines of various Landsat missions. Since Landsat 9 was launched in September 2021, select a date range that includes this timeframe. For instance, you might choose December 1, 2022, to January 1, 2024.

Step 6: Specify Cloud Cover

To ensure you receive the best quality imagery, specify the desired cloud cover. Generally, you should aim for images with less cloud cover, unless your research specifically requires clouded images.

Step 7: Select Datasets

Navigate to the Datasets section and expand the options for Landsat images. Choose the Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 option, which includes both Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 images.

Step 8: View Results

Click on Results to view all available Landsat images within your specified date range and polygon. A small true color snapshot will help you assess the coverage and cloudiness of each tile.

Step 9: Evaluate Image Footprints

For each image, you can click on the Show Footprint button to view the area covered by the image. This helps determine if it fits your area of interest. You can deactivate images that do not cover your area adequately.

Step 10: Download the Selected Image

Once you find a suitable image, click on the Download Options button. Choose Level 2 Surface Reflectance Bands for the download. You can select specific files or add all selected files to your basket.

Step 11: Submit Your Order

Go to your Item Basket and click on Start Order. Name your order and submit your product selections. Afterward, you can start the download process.

Step 12: Download and Review Your Files

Open the bulk download application and select your folder. Click on Begin Download to start downloading the files. Once downloaded, you will see files labeled by date and spectral band notation.

Congratulations! You have successfully downloaded Landsat 9 satellite imagery from the USGS Earth Explorer portal.