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Article Images
ERS 1 and 2
 
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ERS-1 and 2
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  HI RES JPG (Size: 378 kb)
Like its predecessor ERS-1 (launched in July 1991 by Ariane 4 and successfully put into orbit at an altitude of some 780 km), the ERS-2 satellite launched on 21.04.95 by Ariane 4, monitors the Earth day and night under all weather conditions thanks to its powerful sharp-eyed, cloud-piercing radars. ERS-2 also carries an instrument to help monitor the ozone layer around the Earth.
 
  ERS Instruments
 
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ERS-1 launch configuration
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ERS-1 under test
 
  Benefits to Europe
 
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Hurricane watch
Earth observation satellites are used to monitor man-made as well as natural disasters such as the hurricane shown in this picture
 
  ERS Achievements
 
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Low levels stratospheric ozone
Low levels of stratospheric ozone (blue) observed by ERS-2 over Europe in November 1999. Photo: GOME/ERS-2 and KNMI

Credits: ESA/GOME and KNMI
 
  Watching over our future
 
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ERS-2 SAR image
The image shows the three rivers in an area just west of the town of Nijmegen, the Netherlands: the Lower Rhine (top), the Waal (centre) and the Maas (bottom). The swollen rivers are clearly delineated in dark magenta, while the normal river courses can be identified by the black parallel lines within the flooded area showing the position of the raised river banks.

The top left area is covered only by two acquisitions, and consequently appears in yellow.

 
  Last update: 24 February 2003 
 
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Earthnet OnlineERS InstrumentsIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)GOMEEl NiñoEnvisat Homepage
 
 
 
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