Landsat images aren't taken with the primary intention of showing human level detail. The imaging sensors are designed to image groundcover. In fact landsat doesn't strictly image visible light, it's imaging bands are in visible, infrared and near infrared depending on the satellite used. [1]
This can be used for all kinds of agricultural, environmental, and climate change research.
Having satellite images that are higher in resolution wouldn't be particularly helpful for these purposes and would instead be counter to their purpose because it would take so much longer to image any given area. With large images you can, within several days have images of the entire earth which is much more useful for any temporally sensitive research. To say nothing for the computing and storage requirements.
This can be used for all kinds of agricultural, environmental, and climate change research.
Having satellite images that are higher in resolution wouldn't be particularly helpful for these purposes and would instead be counter to their purpose because it would take so much longer to image any given area. With large images you can, within several days have images of the entire earth which is much more useful for any temporally sensitive research. To say nothing for the computing and storage requirements.
http://landsat.usgs.gov/band_designations_landsat_satellites...