Observing the Earth

ESA - Euronews Space Magazine Satellites and major disasters

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

The tragic earthquake in Haiti last month triggered a vast international rescue effort. Euronews looks at how observation satellites are helping in the emergencies that follow major natural disasters.

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Weather satellite sets new service record

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 09:21:00 +0100

Europe’s series of Meteosat satellites has been improving the accuracy of weather forecasts for over 30 years. Meteosat-6 has recently broken the record for the operational life of one of these robust missions.

ESA call for proposals: support to young researchers

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 08:19:00 +0100

ESA is again offering young scientists the opportunity to undertake innovative research projects aimed at advancing the understanding of the Earth system, with a call for proposals for the Changing Earth Science Network initiative.

World Wetlands Day focuses on climate change

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 09:46:00 +0100

World Wetlands Day 2010: 'Wetlands, Biodiversity and Climate Change' stresses the fact that caring for wetlands is a part of the solution to climate change with the slogan: 'Caring for wetlands – an answer to climate change.'

Glacier-melting debate highlights importance of satellites

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0100

The intense public debate on how rapidly the Himalayan glaciers are retreating highlights the necessity for the constant monitoring of glaciers worldwide by satellites.

The long-awaited Oceans movie premieres

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:01:00 +0100

Oceans, a new film produced by filmmaker Jacques Perrin that captures the mysterious and fascinating marine world like never before, makes its big-screen debut today in cinemas across France, Belgium and Switzerland.

Swarm science meeting – presentations now available online

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:14:00 +0100

Following ESA’s Second Swarm International Science Meeting held last summer in Germany, 88 of the presentations given at the three-day meeting are now available online.

CryoSat-2 launch: teams in intense preparation

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:00:00 +0100

With liftoff scheduled in just a few weeks, ESA's CryoSat-2 ground teams are in intensive training for the launch and early orbit phase - the critical first steps in the mission's life.

Congo receives help from space after volcano eruption

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:25:00 +0100

On 2 January, Mount Nyamulagira in the Democratic Republic of Congo erupted, spewing lava from its southern flank and raising concerns that the 100 000 people in the town of Sake could be under threat.

New satellite maps of Haiti coming in

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:16:00 +0100

As rescue workers scramble to provide assistance to hundreds of thousands of people following Haiti’s earthquake, Earth observation satellite data continues to provide updated views of the situation on the ground.

First satellite map of Haiti earthquake

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:16:00 +0100

A major 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince on 12 January, causing major casualties and damage. The quake was followed by several aftershocks with magnitudes over 5.0.

ESA's ice mission arrives safely at launch site

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:58:00 +0100

In what might seem rather appropriate weather conditions, the CryoSat-2 Earth Explorer satellite has completed its journey to the Baikonur launch site in Kazakhstan, where it will be prepared for launch on 25 February.

ESA calls for Sentinels-4/-5 Mission Advisory Group members

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:38:00 +0100

Within the framework of the GMES initiative, ESA is developing a series of ‘Sentinel’ satellites. As part of this development process, the Agency has released a call for Mission Advisory Group members for the Sentinel-4/-5 missions.

Water cycle conference makes a big splash

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:59:00 +0100

Earth has a limited amount of water that recycles itself in what is called the 'water cycle'. Climate change, weather and human life are highly affected by changes in this continuous, interconnected cycle.

Forests take centre stage at Copenhagen

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:47:00 +0100

As the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen approaches its conclusion, negotiations are focusing on the role of forests in mitigating climate change. The new 'Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation' policy has gained widespread support as a central element of any new agreement.

ESA and World Bank move towards closer collaboration

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:47:00 +0100

The World Bank is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. At first glance, this may not appear to be connected to space technology, but large development projects and the state of Earth’s environment are intrinsically linked.

‘Environmental Atlas of Europe’ unveiled at COP15

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:47:00 +0100

In support of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change taking place in Copenhagen, the European Environment Agency hosted the 'Bend the Trend' event on Sunday evening to provide a global climate networking platform and premiere the screening of the new 'Environmental Atlas of Europe'.

ESA exhibit opens at COP15

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 12:47:00 +0100

Today marks the official opening of ESA’s exhibition ‘Space for Earth, Understanding Climate Change from Space’ at the UN Climate Change Conference, COP15, in Copenhagen, Denmark.

ESA to attend COP15 Climate Conference

Fri, 4 Dec 2009 12:47:00 +0100

Government representatives from around the world will gather at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, 7–18 December, to negotiate a deal to restrict emissions of heat-trapping gases that drive climate change.

SMOS completes early orbit phase

Fri, 4 Dec 2009 09:43:00 +0100

ESA’s SMOS satellite has recently completed its first phase of life in orbit – the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP), which means that all the systems are working as they should and the satellite is ready for full commissioning.

Sailors braving treacherous waters for science

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 16:13:00 +0100

Scientists working to validate data from ESA’s water mission SMOS, launched in November, will get help from skippers competing in the SolOceans around-the-world single-handed race.

Watch on Euronews: Climate change and satellites

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

Climate change is worrying the most influential leaders on the planet. A major conference on the subject will be held in December in Copenhagen.

ESA Member States approve full and open Sentinel data policy principles

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:09:00 +0100

ESA Member States have recently approved the new principles for the Sentinel Data Policy, which establishes full and open access to data acquired by the upcoming Sentinel satellite missions.

‘Keys’ to GOCE satellite handed over

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:43:00 +0100

ESA’s GOCE gravity mission has achieved another major milestone as control of the satellite is transferred to the operations teams, marking the end of its commissioning and calibration phase.

CryoSat: green light for launch campaign

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:07:00 +0100

ESA’s CryoSat ice mission has completed its Flight Acceptance Review, confirming that all the mission components are ready for launch, which is planned for 25 February 2010 from Baikonur.

First SMOS data received

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:30:00 +0100

This image is the first data sent to Earth by the MIRAS instrument on ESA's SMOS satellite, launched on 2 November. It was acquired as part of the initial functional verification test since the instrument was switched on on Tuesday.

SMOS satellite instrument comes alive

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:30:00 +0100

The MIRAS instrument on ESA's SMOS satellite, launched earlier this month, has been switched on and is operating normally. MIRAS will map soil moisture and ocean salinity to improve our understanding of the role these two key variables play in regulating Earth’s water cycle.

Tackling new Arctic challenges from space

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 09:11:00 +0100

International scientists, researchers and decision makers met at the ‘Space and the Arctic workshop’ to identify the needs and challenges of working and living in the rapidly changing Arctic and to explore how space-based services can help to meet those needs.

SMOS forms three-pointed star in the sky

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 17:30:00 +0100

Following the launch of ESA’s SMOS satellite on 2 November, the French space agency CNES, which is responsible for operating the satellite, has confirmed that the instrument’s three antenna arms have deployed as planned, and that the instrument is in good health.

Two new ESA satellites successfully lofted into orbit

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 02:58:00 +0100

ESA PR 28-2009. The second satellite in ESA’s Earth Explorer series – the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission – and the second demonstration satellite under ESA’s Project for Onboard Autonomy (Proba-2) were launched into orbit last night from northern Russia.

SMOS and Proba-2 ready for launch

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:18:00 +0100

The Russian State Commission has given the go-ahead to fuel the Rockot launcher that will take ESA's SMOS and Proba-2 satellites into orbit. This formal authorisation confirms that launch can take place on 2 November at 02:50 CET (01:50 UT).

Follow the launch of ESA's SMOS and Proba-2 satellites

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:31:00 +0100

ESA PR 27-2009. ESA's SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) and Proba-2 (PRoject for OnBoard Autonomy) satellites are scheduled for launch on Monday 2 November at 02:50 CET on a Russian Rockot launcher from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northern Russia.

Finnish university and industry celebrate their contribution to SMOS

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:00:00 +0100

With the launch of ESA’s Earth Explorer SMOS satellite just a few days away, the Helsinki University of Technology has been celebrating and reflecting on the contribution they and Finnish industry have made to SMOS. Together, their efforts proved fundamental to the consolidation of the mission concept.

Strong support for GMES at space conference

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:58:00 +0100

At the conference on ‘The Ambitions of Europe in Space’, which was held on 15 and 16 October in Brussels, the GMES initiative was presented as a programme of fundamental importance for Europe’s future.

Satellite data look behind the scenes of deadly earthquake

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:16:00 +0100

Using satellite radar data and GPS measurements, Chinese researchers have explained the exceptional geological events leading to the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake that killed nearly 90 000 people in China’s Sichuan Province.

Satellite data instrumental in combating desertification

Wed, 7 Oct 2009 09:40:00 +0100

With land degradation in dryland regions continuing to worsen, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification has agreed on scientist-recommended indicators for monitoring and assessing desertification that signatory countries must report on.

ESA issues call for Earth Explorer proposals

Fri, 2 Oct 2009 09:21:00 +0100

As part of ESA’s Earth Observation Programme and its continuing endeavour to address critical Earth science issues, the Agency has released an opportunity for scientists to submit proposals for the eighth Earth Explorer mission.

GOCE delivering data for best gravity map ever

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:43:00 +0100

Following the launch and in-orbit testing of the most sophisticated gravity mission ever built, ESA’s GOCE satellite is now in ‘measurement mode’, mapping tiny variations in Earth’s gravity in unprecedented detail.

February launch for ESA's CryoSat ice mission

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:35:00 +0100

As members of the media visit IABG's spacecraft test centre in Germany to learn more about ESA's CryoSat mission and view the satellite, a new target launch date of 28 February 2010 has been announced.

ESA campaign reveals glimpse of future Sentinel-3 imagery

Wed, 9 Sep 2009 08:09:00 +0100

As part of the development process for ESA’s Sentinel-3 Earth observation mission, remote-sensing experts carried out an extensive experiment campaign across southern Europe this summer. The results provide valuable insight into the imagery the mission will deliver after it is launched in 2013.

CryoSat ready for launch: Media Day at IABG/Munich

Fri, 4 Sep 2009 13:34:00 +0100

ESA PR 21-2009. On Monday 14 September media representatives will have the opportunity to attend an in-depth CryoSat background briefing at IABG’s spacecraft test centre in Ottobrunn near Munich, Germany.

ESA helps make summer in the city more bearable

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:10:00 +0100

As temperatures soar, scientists have been collecting data amid the ancient ruins that symbolise the birthplace of western culture. These data, combined with measurements from aircraft and satellites, promise to improve 'urban heat island' forecasts to make life in modern-day Athens easier during heat waves.

DLR carries out mountain campaign for Aeolus

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:34:00 +0100

As part of the preparatory activities for the Aeolus mission, the German Aerospace Centre DLR performed a campaign on Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze. The clean mountain air was needed to provide the right conditions to investigate what effects the atmosphere would have on the return signal of the satellite's core instrument.

Greek fires seen from space

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:16:00 +0100

ESA’s Envisat satellite captures thick clouds of smoke billowing from wildfires that have been raging through Greece and are threatening the capital, Athens.

ESA investigates new methods of mapping tropical forest from space

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:39:00 +0100

Tropical rainforests play a crucial role in Earth's carbon cycle by absorbing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in biomass. However, mapping these carbon stocks from space poses a huge technical challenge. An airborne campaign, being carried out in South America, is showing how spaceborne radar could be an answer.

Ground segment declared ready for CryoSat mission

Fri, 7 Aug 2009 14:19:00 +0100

An Earth observation mission does not just involve the building of a satellite, it also includes the all-important infrastructure to control the satellite and handle the data – the ground segment. As ESA prepares for the launch of the CryoSat mission at the end of the year, its associated ground segment is now ready.

New ESA sounder sees through ice to unveil Greenland bedrock

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:33:00 +0100

An airborne campaign carried out over Greenland has demonstrated that a new ESA instrument, called Polaris, can see through the ice sheet to reveal how snow has accumulated, the structure of the ice layers and the underlying bedrock. This dataset is now available online.

New SMOS validation instruments ready for action

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:44:00 +0100

With SMOS set to launch in November, preparations for the long-term monitoring and validation of the mission's data are moving ahead as three new purpose-built instruments are now ready to ship to key European validation sites.

Satellite sensor maps global atmospheric ammonia emissions

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 08:47:00 +0100

Using radiation measurements obtained by the MetOp satellite, scientists have produced the first complete map of global ammonia emissions – a pollutant of key environmental concern. The map, based on observations throughout 2008, shows inaccuracies in current ammonia inventories and identifies new hotspots.

ESA study paves the way for a better understanding of space weather

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:19:00 +0100

Earth observation satellites in low orbit are continually buffeted by the wisps of atmosphere that remain. Predicting how much air drag a satellite can encounter is critical to the design, cost and operation of a mission - an ESA study shows how.

GOCE achieves drag-free perfection

Tue, 26 May 2009 09:07:00 +0100

ESA's gravity mission GOCE has achieved a first in the history of satellite technology. The sophisticated electric propulsion system has shown that it is able to keep the satellite completely free from drag as it cuts through the remnants of Earth's atmosphere – paving the way for the best gravity data ever.

ESA map reveals European shipping routes like never before

Fri, 22 May 2009 10:59:00 +0100

A synoptic view of European shipping routes can be seen for the first time thanks to a new map created using seven years of radar data from ESA’s Envisat satellite.

ESA extends its TIGER project

Fri, 8 May 2009 08:59:00 +0100

ESA kicked off the second phase of its TIGER initiative at the Fifth World Water Forum in Istanbul, Turkey. The initiative was extended at the request of African water authorities at the First African Water Week in Tunis last year.

A glimpse of future GMES Sentinel-1 radar images

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:00:00 +0100

A new campaign marks an important step in preparing for how data from the Sentinel-1 European Radar Observatory will be used for applications such as land-cover mapping and crop management. Sentinel-1 is the first of the five missions that ESA is developing for the GMES initiative.

GOCE’s ‘heart’ starts beating

Wed, 8 Apr 2009 09:00:00 +0100

GOCE’s highly sensitive gradiometer instrument has been switched on and is producing data. Forming the heart of GOCE, the gradiometer is specifically designed to measure Earth’s gravity field with unprecedented accuracy.

GOCE's electric ion propulsion engine switched on

Mon, 6 Apr 2009 15:00:00 +0100

GOCE's sophisticated electric ion propulsion system has been switched on and confirmed to be operating normally, marking another crucial milestone in the satellite's post-launch commissioning phase.

Science community to discuss benefits of ESA's Swarm mission

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:34:00 +0100

With ESA's magnetic field mission due for launch in less than two years, the Agency is organising the Second Swarm International Science Meeting. The meeting will provide the forum for leading scientists, as well as students, to discuss how data from the mission can address challenges in fields of science associated with geomagnetism.

GOCE completes early orbit phase

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:00:00 +0100

ESA's GOCE satellite was formally declared ready for work at 01:00 CET on 20 March. During the critical Launch and Early Orbit Phase beginning with separation from its booster on 17 March, GOCE was checked out to confirm that all of its control systems are operating normally.

ESA call for new Mission Advisory Group members

Tue, 3 Mar 2009 10:15:00 +0100

Following the selection of the BIOMASS, CoReH2O and PREMIER candidate Earth Explorer mission concepts for Feasibility Study, ESA is setting up Mission Advisory Groups. Scientists from the Earth Science community are now invited to apply for membership of these Groups.

Three ESA Earth science missions move to next phase

Mon, 2 Mar 2009 08:30:00 +0100

ESA has announced three candidate Earth Explorer mission concepts to progress to the next phase of consolidation. This selection is part of the user-driven process that will lead to the launch of the Agency's seventh Earth Explorer satellite in the 2016 time frame.

Quest for new Earth Explorer leads scientists to Lisbon

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:33:00 +0100

Portugal, historically home to many an explorer, has just hosted an important international meeting where six new ESA Earth Explorer mission concepts were presented to and discussed by the scientific community. The missions all propose new ways of obtaining a better understanding of how the Earth system works.

Landmark year ahead for Earth observation science missions

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 11:23:00 +0100

With three Earth Explorer satellites set to launch this year, another three under construction and up to three more about to be selected for feasibility study, 2009 promises to be a significant year for ESA's contribution to Earth science – paving the way to a clearer understanding of how our planet works.

High-altitude aircraft help unravel complexities of atmosphere

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:14:00 +0100

Aircraft capable of flying
20 km above the surface of the Earth are being used to test instruments that could be carried on satellites to improve our understanding of how atmospheric chemistry and climate are linked. These types of high-altitude experiments support the candidate Earth Explorer PREMIER mission.

Scientists spend a white Christmas in Antarctica

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:18:00 +0100

The idea of a white Christmas may seem magical for many of us, but spare a thought for a team of scientists forgoing the festive season to take part in a novel campaign being carried out in one of the most inhospitable regions on Earth to support ESA's ice mission CryoSat.

Arctic sea ice thinning at record rate

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:11:00 +0100

The thickness of sea ice in large parts of the Arctic declined by as much as 19% last winter compared to the previous five winters, according to data from ESA’s Envisat satellite.

Earth Observation highlights at ILA Space Pavilion

Thu, 29 May 2008 10:00:00 +0100

The Berlin International Airshow's Space Pavilion hosted a contract signing for ESA's EarthCARE satellite, highlighting the benefits stemming from the Agency's Earth observation programme.

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EarthCARE satellite contract signed

Tue, 27 May 2008 14:12:00 +0100

ESA PR 28-2008. The European Space Agency and Astrium GmbH have today signed a contract worth €263 million to provide the EarthCARE satellite, the sixth Earth Explorer mission of ESA’s Living Planet Programme. As prime contractor, Astrium GmbH is responsible for the satellite’s design, development and integration.

Meteosat Third Generation on track

Fri, 7 Dec 2007 09:45:00 +0100

ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes, Dr Volker Liebig, and EUMETSAT Director General, Dr Lars Prahm, have exchanged letters to document the understanding achieved between the two organisations on cooperation and coordination regarding the approval process of the respective Meteosat Third Generation programmes.

ESA celebrates 30 years of Meteosat

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:00:00 +0100

Thirty years ago tomorrow, Europe's first geostationary weather satellite - Meteosat-1 - was launched by the then-young European Space Agency.

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Construction of Swarm satellites to begin

Thu, 8 Nov 2007 14:33:00 +0100

Understanding more about the Earth's magnetic field has just come one step closer now that the preliminary design and definition phase of ESA's Swarm mission is complete. In accordance with this important milestone, the project celebrates moving off the 'drawing board' and prepares for the construction of the Swarm satellite constellation.

ESA to provide essential launch control services to EUMETSAT

Tue, 6 Nov 2007 09:45:00 +0100

ESA and EUMETSAT, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, agreed today that ESA will provide essential launch control services for the last two Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellites, MSG-3 and MSG-4.

ADM-Aeolus Announcement of Opportunity

Mon, 1 Oct 2007 14:23:00 +0100

ESA is pleased to announce the release of an Announcement of Opportunity (AO), which aims exclusively at calibration and validation activities in support of the ADM-Aeolus mission.

Critical laser components stand the test of time for ESA's wind mission Aeolus

Wed, 6 Jun 2007 12:02:00 +0100

The ADM-Aeolus (Atmospheric Dynamics Mission) project has just passed another milestone with the confirmation that the laser diode stacks, which are the core components of the mission's instrument, have successfully passed their long-lifetime test - demonstrating that they will endure the three years of operation in space.

Swarm Mission Advisory Group - membership application now open

Mon, 4 Jun 2007 11:00:00 +0100

As the Earth Explorer Swarm mission progresses into Phase C/D of its development, ESA is inviting scientists who wish to apply for membership of the Swarm Mission Advisory Group (MAG) covering Phase C/D and E1 to do so via the Mission Advisory Group Application website.

International cooperation boosts EarthCARE

Fri, 18 May 2007 08:55:00 +0100

With the design consolidation phase soon to start for ESA's EarthCARE mission, scientists and engineers from around the world recently met to discuss preparations for a mission that is being implemented with the cooperation of Japanese partners to address the need for a better understanding of how the interactions between clouds, aerosols and solar radiation regulate climate.

MetOp-A takes up service

Wed, 16 May 2007 08:47:00 +0100

EUMETSAT has just reported that Europe entered a new era of meteorology and climatology when MetOp-A, Europe’s first polar-orbiting meteorological satellite, was on 15 May 2007 officially declared operational after only six months of commissioning.

First ozone and nitrogen dioxide measurements from MetOp-A

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 08:47:00 +0100

The Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment-2 (GOME-2) on board MetOp-A launched in October 2006 and currently undergoing commissioning has delivered the first geophysical products for monitoring the Earth's ozone layer, and European and global air quality.

EarthCARE Mission Advisory Group - application closed

Thu, 1 Mar 2007 12:17:00 +0100

Applications for the EarthCARE Mission Advisory Group closed on 28 February 2007.

Three MetOp-A instruments ready for routine operation

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 11:11:00 +0100

Eumetsat reports that the AMSU-A, GRAS instruments and the Search and Rescue package carried on MetOp-A have been functionally checked and declared ready for routine operation.

EarthCARE Mission Advisory Group - membership application now open

Mon, 8 Jan 2007 09:26:00 +0100

As the Earth Explorer EarthCARE mission progresses into Phase B of its development, ESA is inviting scientists who wish to apply for membership of the EarthCARE Mission Advisory Group (MAG), to do so via the Mission Advisory Group Application website.

MHS ready for routine operation

Wed, 20 Dec 2006 09:20:00 +0100

Following a series of functional and performance tests, the Microwave Humidity Sounder carried on MetOp-A has been declared ready for routine operation.

IASI first measurement data available

Fri, 1 Dec 2006 15:47:00 +0100

EUMETSAT reports that the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) carried on MetOp-A was successfully put into nominal operation mode on 27 November 2006 over the ground station on Svalbard, Norway.

First Level-1 HIRS and AVHRR (IR) products

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 14:00:00 +0100

After the nominal two-week out-gassing period, the High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS/4) and the channels 3B, 4, and 5 of the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR/3) carried on MetOp-A, were switched-on on 21 November at 13:00 UTC.

First GRAS bending angle shows instrument to be in excellent working order

Fri, 17 Nov 2006 15:28:00 +0100

Weather forecasting and climate monitoring are set to improve as the first results from the Global Navigation Satellite System Receiver for Atmospheric Sounding (GRAS) instrument carried on MetOp-A show that the instrument is working perfectly.

Proceedings of Swarm workshop now available

Thu, 2 Nov 2006 09:31:00 +0100

Following the first international workshop dedicated to the Earth Explorer Swarm mission, the proceedings are now available on CD by request. The CD holds the 93 presentations that were given at the workshop, photos and the list of participants.

Scientists and engineers meet to further ESA’s wind mission

Tue, 3 Oct 2006 15:56:00 +0100

Almost 100 scientists and engineers from all over the world gathered at ESA-ESTEC in Noordwijk, the Netherlands to take part in a workshop dedicated to the Atmospheric Dynamics Mission ADM-Aeolus, one of the upcoming ESA Earth Explorer missions.

Swarm featured in special edition of Earth Planets and Space

Fri, 5 May 2006 14:43:00 +0100

The latest special issue of the Earth Planets and Space publication features a collection of 12 papers covering many aspects of ESA's magnetic mission Swarm. The articles are from many disciplines and summarises the results of a variety of research efforts that have recently been conducted as part preparing for the Swarm mission.

First test flights of ALADIN airborne prototype exceed expectations

Mon, 21 Nov 2005 10:18:00 +0100

The ADM-Aeolus mission has just passed another milestone with the success of the first ALADIN Airborne Demonstrator (A2D) test flights. Essentially, the aim was to ensure that the A2D was compatible with the aircraft; however, it was also revealed that the A2D was receiving atmospheric backscatter data, which went beyond what was expected from these first flights.

ADM-Aeolus laser bursts into life

Mon, 12 Sep 2005 12:52:00 +0100

A major milestone has just been reached in the ADM-Aeolus project as the transmitter-laser prototype emits its first light pulses in ultra-violet. The laser forms the heart of Aeolus's innovative ALADIN payload and since it is a completely new instrument, these first light pulses signify a technological breakthrough.

ADM-Aeolus testing successfully completed

Wed, 13 Jul 2005 17:07:00 +0100

A significant milestone in ESA's wind mission ADM-Aeolus has just been reached with the successful completion of a series of crucial mechanical tests. These tests, which took place at ESA-ESTEC in the Netherlands, have demonstrated clearly that the satellite structure and the ALADIN payload will be able to withstand the harsh conditions of launch.