SWARM

ESA will soon launch Swarm, another Earth Explorer to better understand our planet.

Swarm is currently planned for launch end of November from Plesetsk, Northern Russia on top of a Rockot launcher.

Swarm is a constellation of 3 satellites that will precisely measure the magnetic signals that stem from Earth’s core, mantle, crust and the oceans as well as the ionosphere and magnetosphere. This will lead to an improved understanding of the processes that drive Earth’s ‘dynamo’. Swarm also aims to provide a better insight into Earth’s interior.  

After GOCE, studying gravity, SMOS observing Moisture and Ocean Salinity and Cryosat ESA’s ice mission, Swarm will be the fourth Earth Explorer mission launched by ESA. With their unique view point from Space these missions are focusing on science and research and aim to improve our understanding of how the Earth system works and the impact human activity is having on natural Earth processes.

This video presents the scientific and technical challenges of the Swarm mission.