Watch the replay of the HydroGNSS pre-launch media briefing, which took place on Monday 3 November at 09:00 GMT / 10:00 CET, ahead of the launch of the mission.

HydroGNSS is a two-satellite mission that will use a technique called Global Navigation Satellite System reflectometry to measure soil moisture, wetlands, freeze–thaw state over permafrost, forest biomass and other climate variables linked to the global water cycle. It will supply affordable, frequent measurements to support weather forecasting, agriculture, flood prediction and carbon monitoring.

HydroGNSS is the first of ESA’s new family of Scout missions, which are developed within three years under ESA’s Earth Observation FutureEO programme. These missions are quick and agile, paving the way for innovative science and complementing ESA’s Earth Explorer research missions. The resulting scientific data is provided to the science community and to ESA.

The twin satellites were built in the UK by a consortium led by SSTL. Launch of the HydroGNSS mission is scheduled on board a SpaceX Falcon 9 launcher from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.