ESA title

The mission

ESA’s three-satellite Swarm mission is dedicated to unravelling one of the most mysterious aspects of our planet: the magnetic field. Although invisible, the magnetic field and electric currents in and around Earth generate complex forces that have immeasurable impact on everyday life. By analysing the different characteristics of the observed field, Swarm will lead to new insight into many natural processes, from those occurring deep inside the planet to weather in space caused by solar activity.

The launch

Date: 22 November 2013
Site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia
Launcher: Rockot

Swarm
Swarm upper composite hoisted to the top of the service tower
Enabling & Support

Swarm launch timeline

21/11/2013 2666 views 10 likes
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Swarm mission team in training
Enabling & Support

Swarm mission control ready for triple launch

19/11/2013 6530 views 42 likes
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Swarm upper composite hoisted to the top of the service tower
Applications

Swarm on the launch pad

18/11/2013 6589 views 65 likes
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Separated by a few centimetres
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Satellites packed like sardines

08/11/2013 9842 views 61 likes
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Three in a row
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Swarm launch postponed

30/10/2013 8793 views 63 likes
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Three in a row
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Magnetic field mission fuelled for launch

16/10/2013 3300 views 43 likes
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Swarm arrives in Plesetsk
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Preparing to launch Swarm

19/09/2013 5953 views 61 likes
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Euronews_Geomag
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ESA Euronews: Measuring Earth's vital magnetic field

26/10/2012 1738 views 0 likes
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Solar wind entry at low latitudes
Science & Exploration

Earth’s magnetosphere behaves like a sieve

24/10/2012 6135 views 20 likes
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Swarm constellation in IABG cleanroom
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Swarm constellation heads north

17/02/2012 2171 views 1 likes
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Swarm constellation
Enabling & Support

Swarm: magnetic field satellites get their bearings

27/10/2011 3749 views 5 likes
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Eurockot to launch Swarm
Applications

Eurockot to launch two ESA Earth observation missions

09/04/2010 2039 views 0 likes
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Swarm mapping of Earth's crust
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Construction of Swarm satellites to begin

08/11/2007 1802 views 0 likes
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Artist's impression of Swarm constellation
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ESA's magnetic field mission holds first international work…

23/03/2006 522 views 0 likes
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Spacecraft faults: more common over the South Atlantic
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Focus on our magnetic planet

24/01/2005 1988 views 1 likes
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Each Swarm satellite will be eight metres long
Applications

A 'Swarm' of satellites for a unique look inside the Earth

03/06/2004 2316 views 4 likes
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The Living Planet
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Candidate Earth Explorers waiting results

22/04/2004 584 views 0 likes
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Each Swarm satellite will be eight metres long
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ESA selects new Earth-Observation missions

29/05/2002 1586 views 0 likes
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