The retirement of a veteran NASA satellite
The Landsat 5 satellite was launched with an expected lifetime of 3 years. 29 years, 150,000 orbits, and 2.5 million pictures later, the satellite will finally end its service to the USGS due to a faulty gyroscope. Throughout its tenure, it has captured some iconic images, which Wired has showcased. Above are two highlights: the top image is the stunning Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar, and the bottom image shows the trail of destruction in the wake of a tornado that hit southwestern Massachusetts.
