The U.S. Postal Service will kick off National Stamp Collecting Month on Oct. 1 at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., by issuing “Earthscapes” Forever stamps.
“Earthscapes” depict America’s diverse landscapes in perspectives from several hundred feet to several hundred miles above the ground, from photos taken from ultra-light planes to data obtained by Earth-orbiting satellites.
Two of the stamp images — “Center-Pivot Irrigation” and “Volcanic Crater” — were taken by the NASA/U.S. Geological Survey Landsat 7 satellite. The Landsat program celebrates 40 years of observing Earth this year as Goddard prepares to launch the next satellite in the Landsat series, the Landsat Data Continuity Mission.
For nearly 50 years, Goddard has been at the forefront of looking at Earth from the vantage point of space. During the dedication ceremony, NASA scientists will discuss why viewing our Earth from above is so valuable for understanding our ever-changing home planet.
NASA uses a fleet of satellites to study Earth and to better understand the changing climate, its interaction with life, and how human activities affect the environment. Through partnerships with national and international agencies, NASA enables the application of this understanding for the well being of society.