The multi-spectral scanner (MSS) was an early Earth observation sensor used on the first five Landsat satellites. The MSS had a spatial resolution of 68-83 meters and collected data in four spectral bands between 0.5-1.1 μm. It had a swath width of 185 km and revisited an area every 16-18 days, collecting images of the Earth's surface without programmable capabilities.

1. Sensors and Their Specifications
Multi-Spectral Scanner (MSS)
The Multispectral Scanner is one of the Earth observing sensors introduced
in the Landsat program. A Multispectral Scanner (MSS) was placed aboard
each of the first five Landsat satellites.
MSS Technical Specifications
Spatial
Spectral Number Temporal Image Programm
Sensor type Resolutio Swath
Range of Bands Resolution Size able
n
4
68 m X 18 days 185 km
opto- 0.5 - (Landsat
83 m (L1-L3), 16 X 185 km No
mechanical 1.1 µm 123
(or 57 m) days (L4 & L5) 185 km
only)
Band Specification
Band Wavelength Resolution Swath Width Revisit time
(µm) (m) (km) (days)
Band 1 (gre) 0.5 to 0.6 79 185 16
Band 2 (red) 0.6 to 0.7 79 185 16
Band 3 (red-NIR) 0.7 to 0.8 79 185 16
Band 4 (NIR) 0.8 to 1.1 79 185 16
S K Diwakar