It was launched on March 5, 1978, with the primary goal of providing a global archive of satellite imagery.

Countries that cannot afford their own satellite are able to use the data for ecological preservation efforts and to determine the location of natural resources.

[5] The spacecraft used an attitude control system (ACS) with freon gas as the propellant.

Combined with horizon scanners, Sun sensors, and a command antenna, the ACS was able to control the spacecraft in all three axes to plus or minus one degree.

The first was the data collection platforms (DCPs), which could consist of ocean buoys, constant pressure balloons, or automatic ground stations.

The sensor weighed 64 kilograms (141 lb), required 50 W of power, and had a maximum 75 meters (246 ft) resolution.

Band 7 was the most proficient at sensing through atmospheric haze, and identified water and land boundaries, vegetation, and landforms.

The cameras contained an optical lens, RBV sensor, thermoelectric cooler, deflection and focus coils, a mechanical shutter, and erase lamps.

[11] The 960 kilograms (2,120 lb) Landsat 3 was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California on March 5, 1978.

For example, Bolivia spent $10,000 on data which was used to discover vast lithium deposits, while United States companies have invested more than $136 million for further exploration.

[14] Specific locations for Landsat 3's data can be found by using the World Reference System (WRS).