Lederman and his team of engineers spent 25 years dissolving and welding plastic until they had a totally seamless, continuous surface that minimizes the threat of clots.

FORBES: Lonely Heart

"Landsat is a centerpiece of NASA's Earth Science program, and today's successful launch will extend the longest continuous data record of Earth's surface as seen from space, " NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said in a statement.

CNN: NASA cheers new Landsat launch

The spacecraft will maintain the longest continuous image record of the Earth's surface as viewed from space.

BBC: Lift-off for latest Landsat mission