FORUM

FORUM – short for Far-infrared Outgoing Radiation Understanding and Monitoring – is ESA’s ninth Earth Explorer satellite mission. Data from the mission will be used to evaluate the role that the far-infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum plays in shaping our climate.

The temperature of Earth’s surface is driven by the balance of radiation at the top of the atmosphere. However, this balance is being disrupted by greenhouse gases released through human activity. These gases are trapping heat in the atmosphere – heat that would otherwise escape into space.

NameFar-infrared Outgoing Radiation Understanding and Monitoring (FORUM)Scientific objectivesFORUM will be used to evaluate the role of the far-infrared in shaping the climate and thus reduce uncertainty in predictions of future ...

FORUM patch

Only space provides the perspective to understand, monitor and act on our changing world.

Pioneering Earth observation for a better world

The need to understand more about the intricacies of how Earth works as a system and how humanity is affecting natural processes is more urgent than ever so that appropriate policies to act on the climate crisis can be put in place and environmental challenges such as those outlined in Europe’s Green Deal can be addressed as effectively as possible. Through FutureEO, the series of world-class Earth Explorer research satellite missions are realised.