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Landsat Next, the proposed mission in NASA's Landsat program planned for 2031, is designed to extend the legacy of Landsat 8–9 and Sentinel-2 in the visible-near and shortwave infrared and to introduce operational thermal infrared capabilities comparable to ASTER. As the first multispectral spaceborne sensor to combine visible-near, shortwave, and thermal infrared coverage since ASTER, it presents a unique opportunity to reestablish long-term geological remote sensing continuity. In this study, we assess whether Landsat Next, in its currently published design, can replicate or even improve geological information derived from Sentinel-2 and ASTER. We simulate Landsat Next imagery using airborne hyperspectral datasets acquired over two well-characterised mineral systems in the Yerington district, Nevada (USA), generating equivalent datasets for Sentinel-2 and ASTER to enable sensor-level comparison without environmental influences. By adapting established band ratios and applying spectral-only and spectral-spatial resampling when simulating Landsat Next data, we isolate the influence of Landsat Next's band configuration and resolution. Our results confirm that Landsat Next replicates key mineralogical patterns observed in Sentinel-2 and ASTER products. Moreover, it enables enhanced discrimination in zones of spectrally overlapping alteration, especially where its higher spectral or spatial resolution improves mineral identification. By replicating established band ratio products while enhancing the detection of key mineralogical features, Landsat Next represents the first spaceborne sensor since ASTER that can potentially deliver continuous multispectral information across the visible-near, shortwave, and thermal infrared ranges, supporting future geological remote sensing studies. • Simulated Landsat Next products replicate Sentinel-2 and ASTER mineral indices. • Narrower SWIR band 21 enhances OH-bearing alteration mineral discrimination. • Higher TIR resolution improves carbonate and mafic mineral zone delineation. • Landsat Next can provide VNIR-SWIR-TIR continuity in geological remote sensing.
Portela et al. (Thu,) studied this question.