ESA Portal - Two new ESA satellites successfully lofted into orbit

Media Centre

Press Releases ESA Television Launch Media Corner Exhibitions

Services

Calendar Publications Frequently asked questions ESA-sponsored Conferences Help Site Credits Portal terms of use Comments Subscribe

Two new ESA satellites successfully lofted into orbit

2 November 2009

Back to article

Download:

HI-RES JPEG (Size: 173 kb)

The SMOS and Proba-2 lift off, on 2 November 2009 at 02:50 CET (01:50 UT) from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia.

Credits: ESA

Back to article

Download:

HI-RES MPG (Size: 2 810 kb)

Around 70 minutes after liftoff, SMOS is released by the launch vehicle’s Breeze upper stage, placing the satellite in orbit around Earth. Shortly after separation the platform's two solar wings are deployed.

Credits: ESA - AOES Medialab

Looking for water exchanges

Back to article

Download:

HI-RES MPG (Size: 6 224 kb)

The SMOS Microwave Imaging Radiometer using Aperture Synthesis (MIRAS) consists of a central structure and three deployable arms that carry 69 antenna receivers. From an altitude of 758 km, the SMOS will view an area almost 3000 km in diameter. Due to the interferometry measurement principle and the Y-shaped antenna, the field of view is limited to a hexagon-like shape about 1000 km across. The orbit will result in global coverage every three days.

Credits: ESA – AOES Medialab

Technologies for tomorrow

Back to article

Download:

HI-RES JPEG (Size: 1653 kb)

Small satellite technology demonstrator Proba-2 went into orbit on 2 November 2009.

Credits: ESA

SMOS launch

Proba-2

Replay the launch

Full transmission of the launch livestream