ESA is launching a range of research-oriented Earth Explorer missions, with ‘core’ missions addressing specific areas of great scientific interest, and faster, lower cost 'Opportunity' missions to study areas of immediate environmental concern.
GOCE, launched in 2009, is studying how the gravity field affects our ocean currents and sea level.
SMOS will study Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity and the water cycle, vital indicators for weather forecasting, climate monitoring and predicting extreme events.
CryoSat-2 will measure changes in the continental ice sheets and marine ice cover.
ADM-Aeolus, an atmospheric dynamics mission, will greatly improve our knowledge of the world’s winds.
Swarm will study changes in the Earth’s magnetic field to improve our understanding of its interior and climate.
EarthCARE, a joint mission with Japan, will study the interaction between clouds, dust, sunlight and infrared rays.
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