 | | | | |
| | | | | |
|
Background About usProfile: The Right StuffSSA programme Space Situational Awareness Multimedia (click) Ground Systems Engineering Ground Systems team at ESOCMission families Solar & planetaryAstronomy & Fundamental PhysicsEarth Observation Human SpaceflightTechnology DemonstrationPast missionsESA mission history- Find a mission: A...ZMission control centres ATV Control Centre (ATV-CC)Columbus Control Centre (Col-CC)Worldwide ground station network ESTRACK tracking stationsESTRACK Control Centre- Find a station: A...ZOPS Community Advanced Mission Concepts & Technologies OfficeHSO ExchangeKnowledge ManagementESA Ground Operation System (EGOS)Services PublicationsESA-sponsored conferencesHelpSubscribe
| | | | | | | | Article Images |  |
Earth observation missions
| A slideshow of images available in the MIRAVI website. MIRAVI, short for MERIS Images RApid VIsualisation, tracks Envisat around the globe, generates images from the raw data collected by Envisat’s optical instrument, MERIS, and provides them online within two hours.
Credits: ESA | |  |  | |
| | | | Envisat
| Envisat is a truly advanced Earth Observation satellite with a unique combination of sensors to vastly improve the range and accuracy of scientific measurements of the atmosphere, oceans, land surface and ice. Its total range of capabilities far exceeds those of any previous or planned Earth Observation satellite.
Credits: ESA - Denman productions | | | | |
| | | | GOCE
| GOCE separates from the Rockot Breeze upper-stage at around 280 km above the surface of the Earth
Credits: ESA - AOES Medialab | | | | |
| | | | SMOS
| SMOS carries the first polar-orbiting spaceborne 2D interferometric radiometer operating in the 'L-band' range. The instrument is called Microwave Imaging Radiometer with Aperture Synthesis (MIRAS). It consists of a central hub and three deployable arms. There are 69 antenna receiver elements called LICEFs distributed over the three antenna arms.
Credits: ESA - AOES Medialab | | | | |
| | | | CryoSat-2
| The CryoSat mission provides data to determine the precise rate of change in the thickness of the polar ice sheets and floating sea ice. It is capable of detecting changes as little as 1 cm per year. The information from the CryoSat will lead to a better understanding of how the volume of ice on Earth is changing and, in turn, a better appreciation of how ice and climate are linked.
Credits: ESA – P. Carril | | | | |
| | | | ADM-Aeolus
| ADM-Aeolus will provide global observations of wind profiles from space to improve the quality of weather forecasts. This novel mission will also advance our understanding of atmospheric dynamics and climate processes.
Credits: ESA/AOES Medialab | | | | |
| | | | Swarm
| Artist's impression of Swarm constellation.
Credits: EADS-Astrium | | | | |
| | | | GMES/Sentinels
| Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) is the response to Europe's need for geo-spatial information services. The initiative provides autonomous and independent access to information for policy-makers, particularly in relation to environment and security. ESA, as main partner to the European Union in GMES, is working on multi-mission facilities and ground segment operations and is preparing the Space Component for GMES with a series of studies and preparatory activities for the development of a series of satellites missions, the Sentinels, and the integration of national and European missions to guarantee continuity of data and services.
Credits: ESA | | | | |
| |
| | Current missions Envisat operationsGOCE operationsSMOSCryoSat-2 operationsFuture missions ADM-AeolusSwarmGMES/Sentinels
|
HI-RES JPEG (Size: 
HI-RES JPG (Size: 
HI-RES TIFF (Size: 
HI-RES JPEG (Size: 
HI-RES JPG (Size: 
HI-RES JPG (Size: 