Creating a mosaic dataset with multiple Landsat sensor types for forest monitoring

[GideonTandoh]

I am trying to create a mosaic dataset that I can later add multidimensional information to for forest monitoring. However, I am facing challenges creating the mosaic datasets because the Landsat images I am using have different sensor types, including Landsat TM, ETM+, OLI, and OLI_TIRS. I have tried creating a mosaic dataset for individual Landsat sensors using surface reflectance as the processing template while ensuring that "calculate statistics," "update overviews," and "estimate mosaic dataset statistics" are all checked. Despite this, I keep getting the error: "Error: 8004818c: No new mosaic dataset item was added."

Interestingly, when I repeated the above steps leaving the Raster Type as "Raster Dataset" (without selecting any specific sensor type), it worked. I am using ArcGIS Pro version 3.2.2 for this analysis.

My question is, how can I create a single mosaic dataset that includes multiple Landsat sensor types while focusing only on surface reflectance as the processing template?

I would greatly appreciate any assistance or insights regarding this issue. Thank you in advance for your help!

[CodyBenkelman · Accepted solution]

Gideon

It sounds like you have not found our best practice advice for imagery  at https://esriurl.com/ImageryWorkflows.  You definitely should not use the Raster Dataset raster type - that will fail to include important metadata to properly configure the mosaic dataset for Landsat imagery.

See the notes here https://doc.arcgis.com/en/imagery/workflows/resources/managing-medium-resolution-satellite-data.htm and specifically the recommended  sample Python scripts for managing Landsat 8 scenes .

Cody B.

[JavierCaballero]

Hi @CodyBenkelman 

I am having the same problem, I have followed the configuration in the documentation and downloaded directly from Sentinel but it keeps showing me this warning, is it a problem with the data or some configuration? 

Thanks!

[CodyBenkelman]

Javier

Sorry for the delay - I missed your message.

1) you said you followed the configuration in the documentation - do you mean from the workflow best practices starting here

 https://doc.arcgis.com/en/imagery/workflows/resources/managing-medium-resolution-satellite-data.htm 

where you found and downloaded  sample Python scripts for managing Sentinel-2 scenes ?

2) You said you're getting a warning - do you mean the error message above: "Error: 8004818c: No new mosaic dataset item was added." ?

Can you send a screenshot or directory listing showing your Sentinel-2 files?  The folder and file structure is somewhat complicated so I want to be sure you have all the necessary files.   If you view the folder in the Catalog pane in ArcGIS Pro, do you see the Raster Product icon 

and if you drop that into the map, does that one image load successfully? 

https://desktop.arcgis.com/en/arcmap/latest/manage-data/raster-and-images/what-is-a-raster-product.h...

(I understand that you're seeking to make a mosaic dataset with multiple scenes, but this last test will help confirm you have all the necessary source files)

Cody

[JackFilbrandt]

Hi @CodyBenkelman 

I am trying to load Sentinel2 data into a Mosaic Dataset so I can build a multidimensional raster for temporal spectral analysis and classification. I'm familiar with loading and processing Landsat data: I have run through https://learn.arcgis.com/en/projects/get-started-with-multidimensional-multispectral-imagery/ Julia Lenhardt's tutorial and have managed to create and process Landsat data I downloaded for my own study over part of SW UK from creating a mosaic dataset to building a multidimensional raster of the multiband satellite images, converting to CRF and subsetting the time cube in the Data Management tab. The results are good but I want to use the Sentinel 2 L2A data to achieve higher resolution.

I've located the Usage Guide for Sentinel2 Geoprocessing Tool for creating mosaic datasets (January 2025) through links I found above - many thanks for that. I've downloaded the zip file and installed the Sentinel2 tool. I have also downloaded a Sentinel2 L2A scene over part of SW England  for January 3 2025 in SAFE format along with all the directories. I run the Sentinel2 tool in Geoprocessing and select an existing gdb for output and select the appropriate Dataset type (Sentinel-2 L2A) with Multispectral so i can see all 13 bands. The tool returns without failing but with a warning that the nominated gdb exists. See attached document: Sentinel2.txt

Unfortunately, while Overviews of the scene I am processing are created and appear in my Folders on Catalog with all 13 bands, the Mosaic dataset does not appear in the Contents pane and isn't anywhere to be found. 

I'm not sure where to go from here. 

PLEASE SEE MY REPLY BELOW - I FIXED THE ISSUE I WAS HAVING.

Thanks 

Jack

I've grabbed some info below for more detail.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sentinel2 processing log

Sentinel2
=====================
Tool Path

CImage_Mgmt_WorkflowsSentinel2ToolsSentinel2.pytSentinel2
=====================
Parameters

Output Geodatabase CUsersfilbrOneDriveDocumentsArcGISProjectsDartmeet_Rainforest_DetectionDartmeet_Rainforest_Detection_S2Mosaic.gdb
Mosaic Dataset Name S2L2A_Mosaic_Sentinel2Tool
Input Source Data 'CUsersfilbrOneDriveDocumentsArcGISProjectsDartmeet_Rainforest_DetectionS2A L2A SAFE20250103 SAFE'
Dataset Type Sentinel-2 L2A
Multispectral-10m false
Multispectral-20m false
Multispectral-60m false
Multispectral true
Define and Build Overview true
=====================
Messages

Start Time 27 November 2025 171028
log-msg Checking for updates..
log-warning 'NewVersion'
log-msg Using templateCImage_Mgmt_WorkflowsSentinel2ParameterConfigsentinel2GP_S_Sentinel2.xml
log-msg Processing command(s)CM+AF+AR+CV+CC+BF+BB+SP+DO+BO
log-msg CommandCM-Create a new mosaic dataset.
log-msg Creating Geodatabase (CUsersfilbrOneDriveDocumentsArcGISProjectsDartmeet_Rainforest_DetectionDartmeet_Rainforest_Detection_S2Mosaic.gdb)
log-warning 000258 File geodatabase already exists!
log-msg Creating source mosaic datasets
log-msg S2L2A_Mosaic_Sentinel2ToolMS
log-status OK
log-msg CommandAF-Add fields.
log-msg Adding custom fields
log-msg Using mosaic datasetS2L2A_Mosaic_Sentinel2ToolMS
log-msg Creating fields
log-msg Dataset_ID
log-status OK
log-msg CommandAR-Add rastersdata to a mosaic dataset.
log-msg Adding rasters
log-msg Using mosaic datasetIDS2L2A_Mosaic_Sentinel2ToolMSSentinel2
log-msg Using ART for S2L2A_MOSAIC_SENTINEL2TOOLMS CImage_Mgmt_WorkflowsSentinel2ParameterRasterTypeSentinel2_L2A_MS.art.xml
log-msg Adding items..
log-msg Calling (arcpy.AddRastersToMosaicDataset_management)
log-msg Status OK
log-msg Calculating 'Dataset ID' for the mosaic dataset (S2L2A_Mosaic_Sentinel2ToolMS) with value (Sentinel2)
log-status OK
log-msg CommandCV-Calculate mosaic dataset values.
log-msg Calculate valuesCUsersfilbrOneDriveDocumentsArcGISProjectsDartmeet_Rainforest_DetectionDartmeet_Rainforest_Detection_S2Mosaic.gdbS2L2A_Mosaic_Sentinel2ToolMS
log-status OK
log-msg CommandCC-Computes the minimum and maximum cell sizes for the rasters in a mosaic dataset.
log-msg Calculating cell ranges forCUsersfilbrOneDriveDocumentsArcGISProjectsDartmeet_Rainforest_DetectionDartmeet_Rainforest_Detection_S2Mosaic.gdbS2L2A_Mosaic_Sentinel2ToolMS
log-status OK
log-msg CommandBF-Build footprint.
log-msg Recomputing footprint for the mosaic dataset S2L2A_Mosaic_Sentinel2ToolMS
log-msg Calling (arcpy.BuildFootprints_management)
log-msg Status OK
log-status OK
log-msg CommandBB-Build boundary.
log-msg Building the boundary ENVELOPE
log-status OK
log-msg CommandSP-Set mosaic dataset properties.
log-msg Calling (arcpy.SetMosaicDatasetProperties_management)
log-msg Status OK
log-status OK
log-msg CommandDO-Defines the tiling schema and properties of the preprocessed raster datasets.
log-msg Define overviews forCUsersfilbrOneDriveDocumentsArcGISProjectsDartmeet_Rainforest_DetectionDartmeet_Rainforest_Detection_S2Mosaic.gdbS2L2A_Mosaic_Sentinel2ToolMS
log-status OK
log-msg CommandBO-Defines and generates overviews for a mosaic dataset.
log-msg Building overviews forCUsersfilbrOneDriveDocumentsArcGISProjectsDartmeet_Rainforest_DetectionDartmeet_Rainforest_Detection_S2Mosaic.gdbS2L2A_Mosaic_Sentinel2ToolMS
log-status OK
log-msg Done...
Succeeded at 27 November 2025 171131 (Elapsed Time 1 minutes 2 seconds)

-----------------------------------------

S2 L2A SAFE mode - only difference between this and the usual folder situation is that an AUX DATA folder is located in the GRANULE folder and not alongside DATASTRIP AND GRANULE.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Overview built

[JackFilbrandt]

Hi again @CodyBenkelman 

I made progress, though I have a confession to make: I forgot to make sure I refreshed my folders after running the Sentinel2 tool. I should have realised when I saw the Overviews tif files in my Catalog folders. When I refreshed the .gdb, the Mosaic dataset  showed up – I initially ran with the Multispectral option only and the Define and Build Overview checked. And of course the Boundary, Footprint and Images didn’t show as I hadn’t added the Mosaic to the Contents pane for the current map! I’m working on my own and I simply forgot these two steps – I suppose I was expecting the Boundary etc to show up in the Contents pane like it does for the Create Mosaic Dataset Geoprocessing tool. Would be great if Sentinel2 did the same!

I also learned that the name of the top directory should not be changed once downloaded from the Copernicus Server (the name on my dataset was only 65 letters long - so ok for length) - I had initially changed the name of the top directory manually when I dropped it into my C-drive folders. I found out when I looked at the image in the map view window. A grid of blue, yellow, black and white squares showed up when I zoomed in (350 by 350 m). I initially tried to reBuild Pyramids and Statistics and Build Overviews in Geoprocessing. The statistics worked by Build Overviews failed aa the process couldn’t find the directories/files it was looking for. Strangely, Sentinel2 didn’t complain on the first run even though I had Define and Build Overview checked.

So, I changed the name back to what it originally was and now I have a Sentinel2 image on my map. Mosaic Dataset properties show that all 13 bands have been read in.

And I can run Build Multidimensional Info successfully – the slider bar for selecting time shows up at the top of the map view.

I also noted that the default Mosaic processing template is set to Agriculture with DRA. That left me with only three of the bands (2, 8A and 11). I selected S2MSI2A in Mosaic Properties > Processing Templates to get all 13. 

Would be useful to have that as an option in the Sentinel2 tool, also.

Thanks

Jack