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(Bands 1-4) in the visible and very near infrared (VNIR) in the 
region 0.4 - 1.1 microns, will provide two new shortwave infrared 
(SWIR) bands which are of considerable value to the geological 
community. Band 5 (1.6 micron) and Band 6 (2.2 micron) will help 
correctly identify many geologically important soils and rocks 
which contain clays, carbonates, phosphates, sulfates, etc. in 
their mineralogical composition. This will be in addition to the 
iron oxide-dominated mineralogical and lithological differentiation 
provided for by the MSS and TM bands. TM. Bands 1-6 will also pro- 
vide improved spatial resolution of 30 meters IFOV. TM Band 7 
will provide 120 meters IFOV resolution in the thermal IR region 
of 10,4;/--12.5 microns. 
The French SPOT system, to be launched in 1984, will provide 
higher spatial resolution and crosstrack stereo capabilities to 
be added to the global satellite data base initiated by the 
Landsat program. SPOT will have three bands in the visible/very 
near infrared (VNIR) range comparable to the MSS and TM Bands 1-4 
at a resolution of 20 meters IFOV. In addition, SPOT will provide 
one panchromatic band in the range 0.51 - 0.73 microns at 10 meters 
IFOV resolution. Through its dual-pointing optical system, the 
SPOT satellite will provide selected, programmable crosstrack 
stereo capability. This stereo capability will provide data over 
any one given location from different orbits of a minimum of from 
two or more days apart. 
Japan will launch two remote sensing satellites which will provide 
data of value to the geological community. The Marine Observation 
Satellite (MOS), planned by the National Space Development Agency 
(NASDA) is scheduled for launch in 1985. In addition to several 
oceanographic-oriented bands from its VIR (visible and thermal 
radiometer) at low spatial resolution (900 - 2700 meters), MOS-1 
will also provide four bands in the range 0.51 - 1.1 microns from 
the MESSR (Multispectral Electronic Self-Scanning Radiometer) at 
50 meters IFOV resolution. Earth Resources Satellite (ERS-1), 
planned for 1987, will be devoted primarily to geological observa- 
tions. The specific band selection of the ERS-1 satellite is in 
its final decision-making stage this year, but will be developed 
around the following sensor types: a) Synthetic Aperture Radar 
(SAR), probably L-band, with 20-25 meters IFOV resolution; b) bands 
in the visible/very near infrared and shortwave infrared at about 
30 meters IFOV resolution; one or more thermal IR bands at lower 
spatial resolution. The ERS-1 satellite may also provide a form 
of stereoscopic coverage. 
Film data will be available through the U.S. Large Format Camera 
and the ESA Metric Camera, both of which will be shuttle launched 
in the early to middle 1980's. These cameras can provide excellent 
high resolution (to 10 meters or better) visible and very near 
infrared film data; however, neither camera program has been funded 
to provide global coverage as yet.