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Summit agrees to improve coordination of global Earth observation

7 August 2003

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Like its predecessor ERS-1 (launched in July 1991 by a Ariane 40 and successfully operational in-orbit at an altitude of some 780 Km), the ERS-2 satellite launched on 21.04.95 by an Ariane 40, is monitoring the Earth day and night under all weather conditions thanks to its powerful sharp-eyed, clouds piercing radars. ERS-2 is moreover carrying an instrument which helps monitor the ozone layer around the Earth.

Credits: ESA

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The overall layout is based on six key design features:

the 'tent' arrangement of the 2 rigid solar array panels;
the mounting of the SIRAL antennas on a separate rigid bench;
the dedicated SIRAL radiator mounted at the nose tip;
the accommodation of the principal electronic elements on a nadir plate of the body;
the use of the nadir facing surface of the body to serve as the primary thermal radiating surface;
the structure main element of a long rectangular tube from the rear to the front of the satellite.

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The Atmospheric Dynamics Mission (ADM-Aeolus) will provide global observations of three-dimensional wind fields. These observations will enable a more detailed study of the balance and circulation of wind energy on Earth, hopefully leading to discoveries concerning phenomena such as El Niño and the Southern Oscillation. This research should help correct a major deficiency within the current meteorological observation network.

Credits: ESA

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