Imagery expected from the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS) was simulated by reduction of conventional black and white aerial photography (scale 1/20,000) to the small scales (e.g., l/2,560,000) that would result from photographing large areas of the ground at satellite altitude. Small sections of the reduced negatives were then enlarged for land use interpretation tests. It was concluded that the classification system now used by Economic Research Service, USDA, in its inventory of major land uses would be compatible with satellite photography. Data for the following categories cannot be obtained from satellite photography: ownership; end-use for specific crops; some transitional vegetation and multiple-use areas.