ESA’s Distributed Space Weather Sensor System (D3S) has the objective of providing data for the nowcasting and forecasting of space weather and for observing space weather effects. Due to the multitude of observable parameters and required measurement locations, D3S is a system of systems, implemented through hosted payload missions as well as dedicated small missions.Currently, five instruments are providing near‑real‑time data from hosted payload missions, and many more will follow in the coming years. In addition, three dedicated missions are being implemented for launch in the coming years: Aurora, Swing and Sawa.