The Space Oblique Mercator for Landsat projection is a pre-computed form of the Space Oblique Mercator projection that allows specification of the projection by citing a Landsat Orbit Number and Orbit Path Number.
A modified cylindrical projection with the map surface defined by a satellite orbit. Basically conformal, especially in region of satellite scanning.
Continuously true to scale along ground track of satellite.
Near-zero distortion along ground track of satellite.
Used for mapping images from Landsat series satellites. May be used for any satellite orbiting the Earth in a circular or elliptical orbit and at any inclination.
Developed in 1973 - 1979 by Alden P. Colvocoresses, John Parr Snyder and John L. Junkins. Colvocoresses was the first to realize that such a projection was needed and mathematically feasible, and in 1974 defined it geometrically. Snyder created the definitive formulas for the projection in 1977 - 1979, while less complete formulas were also created by Junkins in 1977. Snyder provided a complete derivation for orbits of any ellipticity in 1981.
Use the Space Oblique Mercator projection for access to all parameters.