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    • Observing the Earth

    • Understanding Our Planet

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    Earth observation missions

    ESA has been dedicated to observing Earth from space ever since the launch of its first Meteosat weather satellite back in 1977. With the launch of a range of different types of satellites over the last 40 years, we are better placed to understand the complexities of our planet, particularly with respect to global change. Today’s satellites are used to forecast the weather, answer important Earth-science questions, provide essential information to improve agricultural practices, maritime safety, help when disaster strikes, and all manner of everyday applications.

    The need for information from satellites is growing at an ever-increasing rate. With ESA as world-leader in Earth observation, the Agency remains dedicated to developing cutting-edge spaceborne technology to further understand the planet, improve daily lives and support effect policy-making for a more sustainable future.

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    Aeolus

    Wind mission
    From 2018

    Biomass

    Forest mission
    From 2020

    Copernicus Sentinel-1

    Radar vision
    2014–present

    Copernicus Sentinel-2

    Colour vision
    2015–present

    Copernicus Sentinel-3

    Bigger picture
    2016–present

    Copernicus Sentinel-4

    European air monitoring
    From 2020

    Copernicus Sentinel-5

    Global air monitoring
    From 2021

    Copernicus Sentinel-5P

    Global air monitoring
    2017–present

    Copernicus Sentinel-6

    Surfing the seas
    From 2020

    CryoSat

    Ice mission
    2010–present

    EarthCARE

    Cloud and aerosol mission
    From 2019

    Envisat

    Environmental monitoring
    2002–12

    ERS

    European Remote Sensing
    1991–2011 

    FLEX

    Fluorescence mission
    From 2022 

    GOCE

    Gravity mission
    2009–13 

    Meteosat series

    Weather satellites
    1977–2017

    MetOp series

    Weather satellites
    2006–present

    MetOp-SG series

    Weather satellites
    From 2021

    MSG series

    Weather satellites
    2002–present

    MTG series

    Weather satellites
    From 2021

    Proba-1

    Technology demonstrator
    2001–present

    Proba-V

    Vegetation monitoring
    2013–present

    SMOS

    Water mission
    2009–present

    Swarm

    Magnetic field mission
    2013–present

    Third Party Missions

    ESA uses its multi-mission ground systems and expertise to acquire, process, distribute and archive data from other satellites –
    known as Third Party Missions.

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