On 7–8 July 2026, leading Earth observation scientists and experts gathered in Tallinn, Estonia, for the Earth Explorer 12 User Consultation Meeting – a key milestone in the selection of ESA's next Earth Explorer mission.

Over two days, the Earth observation science community heard presentations on and debated the scientific strengths of the four Earth Explorer 12 candidate missions: CryoRad, ECO, Hydroterra+ and Keystone. The outcome of the meeting will help inform the selection of up to two mission concepts to advance to the next phase of development.

Earth Explorers are pioneering research missions that employ new observing techniques that can lead to new scientific findings about planet Earth. Advancing science and technology, they address questions that have direct bearings on societal issues such as the availability of food, water, energy and resources, public health, weather and climate change.

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