Envisat captures Cyclone Gamede on 23 February 2007

Results of ongoing research projects using data from Envisat, as well as other ESA satellites, will be presented at the 2007 Envisat Symposium in Montreux, Switzerland, from 23 to 27 April. This anniversary is particularly important because it marks the end of Envisat’s nominal lifetime, as the satellite was initially only intended to stay in orbit for five years. However, given the overall excellent standing of the satellite, the ESA Member States have agreed to fund the mission operations until 2010.

To mark five years of Envisat, four picture galleries have been created to provide an overview of the mission. Click on the images below to view.  
 
Atmosphere
 
By observing changes in the Earth’s radiation budget, the depletion of the ozone layer, plumes of aerosols and pollutants and exhaust trails left in the atmosphere by airliners, Envisat supplies us with an accurate view of our atmosphere.
 
 
Land
 
By mapping the distribution of forests, agricultural land and human settlements and even tiny changes in surface elevation provoked by earthquakes or land subsidence, and monitoring vegetation characteristics, Envisat supplies us with an accurate view of our land.
 
 
Ocean
 
By monitoring critical indicators such as sea surface temperature, sea surface height and even tiny marine plankton, Envisat supplies us with an accurate view of our oceans. It is able to track illegal fisheries and oil slicks pollution as well as detect ocean eddies and currents.
 
 
Ice
 
By charting alterations in response to climate, looking for warning signs of changes in snow or ice reflectivity (known as 'albedo') and accurately measuring both ice extent and glacier velocity, Envisat supplies us with an accurate view of our cryosphere.