Remote Sensing

VARIOUS European organizations RELATED TO SPACE AND SATELLITE OPERATIONS

Introduction

There are many distinct European organizations with specific missions related to space and satellite operations:

ESA (European Space Agency)
EUMETSAT (European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites)
ESOC (European Space Operations Centre)

ESA (European Space Agency) and EUMETSAT (European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites) have distinct and complementary roles when it comes to Earth observation and satellite operations. While EUMETSAT specializes in meteorological and climate satellite operations, ESA also plays a significant role in Earth observation and environmental monitoring. Here's how they complement each other:

ESA (Diverse Space Activities)
- ESA is involved in various space activities, including planetary exploration, space science, astronomy, and Earth observation.
- In Earth observation, ESA operates the Earth observation component of the Copernicus program. This involves a fleet of Sentinel satellites that provide a wide range of data for environmental monitoring, land use, climate change, and disaster management.
- ESA's Earth observation missions cover a broader spectrum of applications beyond meteorology, including land and ocean monitoring, agriculture, urban planning, and more.
EUMETSAT (Meteorological and Climate Focus):
- EUMETSAT's primary mission is the operation of meteorological and climate monitoring satellites.
- It specializes in collecting and disseminating data related to weather, atmospheric composition, and climate for the benefit of its member states and international partners.
- It operates a fleet of geostationary and polar-orbiting satellites dedicated to monitoring weather patterns, atmospheric conditions, and climate-related phenomena.
- EUMETSAT provides critical data and services for weather forecasting, severe weather monitoring, climate research, and disaster management.
ESOC (European Space Operations Centre)
ESOC and EUMETSAT are two distinct European organizations with different missions and areas of focus in the realm of space operations and satellite management. ESOC is the operations center for the European Space Agency (ESA). Its primary mission is to manage and control ESA's space missions, including spacecraft in Earth orbit, planetary exploration missions, and space science missions.
- Spacecraft Operations: ESOC is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing spacecraft operations, including mission design, launch, in-orbit operations, and end-of-mission disposal.
- Satellite Control: ESOC manages the operations of ESA's satellites, ensuring that they function as intended, collect data, and perform scientific experiments. This includes Earth observation satellites, space telescopes, planetary probes, and more.
- Deep Space Operations: ESOC is involved in deep space missions, including those beyond Earth's orbit. It handles communication with interplanetary missions and planetary rovers.
- Spacecraft Tracking: ESOC is responsible for tracking and monitoring ESA spacecraft to ensure their safety and proper functioning.

COMPARISION

While EUMETSAT and ESA have distinct missions and areas of expertise, they collaborate in several ways:

ESA AND EUMESAT:
- Copernicus Program: Both organizations play roles in the Copernicus program. ESA provides Earth observation data through the Sentinel satellites, contributing to the Copernicus Earth observation component. EUMETSAT contributes meteorological data and expertise to support Copernicus services.
- Data Sharing: EUMETSAT and ESA often share satellite data and collaborate on research projects where meteorological and Earth observation data are mutually beneficial.
- International Cooperation: Both organizations collaborate with international partners, such as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), to enhance global meteorological and environmental monitoring efforts.
In summary, while EUMETSAT specializes in meteorological and climate satellite operations, ESA's Earth observation activities extend beyond meteorology into various environmental and scientific domains. Their collaboration ensures a comprehensive and integrated approach to Earth observation, benefiting weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and environmental research.
ESOC AND EUMESAT: ESOC focuses on the operation and control of ESA's space missions, including spacecraft for various scientific and exploratory purposes. EUMETSAT, on the other hand, specializes in meteorological and climate monitoring through the operation of dedicated satellites, providing essential data and services for weather forecasting and climate research. While both organizations contribute to space operations, their specific missions and areas of expertise differ significantly.

ESA (European Space Agency)

The European Space Agency (ESA) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to the exploration of space. ESA's structure consists of several key components:

Council of the European Space Agency (ESA Council):
The ESA Council is the highest decision-making body of the agency. It comprises representatives from ESA's member states, including voting and non-voting members. The council sets the overall policy and direction for ESA's activities.
Director General:
The Director General is the highest-ranking official within ESA and is responsible for the agency's day-to-day operations. The Director General is appointed by the ESA Council.
Directorates:
ESA is organized into a set of directorates, each responsible for specific areas of space-related activities. The main directorates include the Directorate of Earth Observation Programs, Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration, Directorate of Navigation, and Directorate of Science.
Member States:
ESA has 22 member states as of my knowledge cutoff date, each of which contributes to the agency's funding and decision-making. These member states collaborate on space missions and projects.
Cooperating States and Partners:
ESA also cooperates with non-member states and organizations, fostering international collaboration in space exploration and research.

Space Missions

As for ESA's main space missions, the agency has been involved in a wide range of missions across various domains, including Earth observation, human spaceflight, planetary exploration, and more. Here are a few notable ongoing or future proposed missions as of my last knowledge update:

Earth Observation:
- Sentinel Missions: Part of the Copernicus program, these missions provide critical Earth observation data for environmental monitoring and disaster management.
Human Spaceflight:
- International Space Station (ISS): ESA is a key partner in the ISS program, contributing astronauts, research, and technology to the station.
- Orion European Service Module (ESM): ESA provides the ESM for NASA's Orion spacecraft, which will carry astronauts on deep space missions.
Planetary Exploration:
- ExoMars: A collaborative mission with Russia, ExoMars aims to search for signs of past or present life on Mars.
- JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE): JUICE is set to study Jupiter's icy moons, including Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa.
Astronomy and Space Science:
- James Webb Space Telescope (JWST): While not an ESA mission, ESA is a major partner in JWST, a space telescope set to explore the universe in the infrared spectrum.
Navigation:
- Galileo: ESA's Galileo program aims to provide a global satellite navigation system, similar to GPS, for civilian and commercial use.

Please note that the status and details of space missions may change over time, and new missions may have been proposed or initiated since my last knowledge update. For the most up-to-date information on ESA's activities and missions, I recommend visiting ESA's official website or consulting recent space news sources.

Member States

The European Space Agency (ESA) had 22 member states that actively participate in its programs and projects. These member states collaborate on various space-related activities and jointly fund ESA's operations. Here is a list of ESA member states:

Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
the Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom

ESA Main Facilities

ESA headquarters in Paris, France
European Space Research and Technology Center (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, Netherlands
European Space Operations Center (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany
Columbus Control Center (Col-CC) in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
European Space Research Institute (ESRIN) in Frascati, Italy
European Astronaut Center (EAC) in Cologne, Germany
European Space Astronomy Center (ESAC) in Villafranca del Castillo, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain
European Space Security and Education Center (ESEC) in Redu, Belgium
European Center for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT) in Harwell, United Kingdom
Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana
Esrange (ESC) near Kiruna, Sweden

(Image credit: ESA)

Various Missions by ESA

The European Space Agency (ESA) has been involved in numerous space missions across a wide range of scientific and exploration domains. Here are some of the various missions conducted or supported by ESA as of my last knowledge update in September 2021:

Planetary Exploration

Mars Express: An orbiter mission to study Mars, including its atmosphere and surface.
Venus Express: An orbiter mission to study Venus's atmosphere and climate.
BepiColombo: A mission to study Mercury, involving two spacecraft: the Mercury Planetary Orbiter and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter.

Astronomy and Space Science

Hubble Space Telescope (HST): While not an ESA mission, ESA is a major partner in Hubble's operations and scientific research.
XMM-Newton: An X-ray observatory studying high-energy astrophysical phenomena.
Gaia: A mission to create a 3D map of the Milky Way galaxy, providing precise positions and motions of stars.
Herschel: An infrared space observatory studying the universe's cold and dusty regions.
Plato: A future mission to find and study Earth-like exoplanets.
Athena: A planned X-ray telescope mission to investigate the hot and energetic universe.

Earth Observation

Sentinel Missions: These Earth-observing satellites are part of the Copernicus program and include:

Satellite	Work of the Satellite	Launch Year	Satellite Life End	Orbit
Sentinel-1	Radar Imaging	2014 (Sentinel-1A), 2016 (Sentinel-1B)	2022 (Sentinel-1B ended)	Polar Orbit
Sentinel-2	Optical Imaging	2015 (Sentinel-2A), 2017 (Sentinel-1B)		Polar Orbit
Sentinel-3	Ocean and Land Monitoring	2016 (Sentinel-3A), 2018 (Sentinel-3B)
Sentinel-5P	Atmospheric Composition Monitoring	October 2017

Climate Change

CryoSat-2: A satellite mission to measure changes in Earth's ice masses, including ice thickness in polar regions.

Human Spaceflight

International Space Station (ISS): ESA is a key partner in the ISS program, contributing astronauts, research, and technology.
Columbus Laboratory: Part of the ISS, the Columbus Laboratory is ESA's primary contribution to the station.

Meteorological and Navigation

MetOp: A series of meteorological satellites operated in partnership with EUMETSAT for weather forecasting and climate monitoring.
Galileo: ESA's contribution to the Galileo global satellite navigation system, offering civilian and commercial positioning and timing services.

Space Science

Cluster: A mission consisting of four identical spacecraft studying the Earth's magnetosphere.
Rosetta: A historic mission that included the Philae lander and involved the study of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
Solar Orbiter: A mission to study the Sun, its behavior, and its impact on space weather.

These missions cover a wide spectrum of scientific research and exploration, including planetary science, astronomy, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and space science. ESA continues to be involved in both ongoing missions and future missions designed to expand our understanding of the cosmos and our own planet. Please note that the status and details of these missions may have evolved since my last update, and I recommend visiting ESA's official website for the latest information on

EUMETSAT (European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites)

EUMETSAT, or the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to the operation of meteorological and climate monitoring satellites. Established in 1986, EUMETSAT plays a vital role in collecting, processing, and disseminating essential data related to weather, atmospheric composition, and climate for the benefit of its member states and international partners.

Mission and Objectives

EUMETSAT's primary mission is to provide accurate and timely meteorological and environmental data to support weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and environmental research. Its objectives include:

Weather Forecasting: EUMETSAT contributes to the improvement of weather forecasts by providing high-quality satellite data to meteorological agencies and service providers. Timely and accurate weather information is crucial for public safety, agriculture, transportation, and various other sectors.
Climate Monitoring: The organization collects data related to climate parameters, including atmospheric composition, sea-surface temperatures, and more. These data are used for long-term climate monitoring and research.
Disaster Management: EUMETSAT's satellite data play a critical role in disaster management. It provides early warnings for severe weather events, natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, floods, wildfires), and climate-related emergencies.
Environmental Research: EUMETSAT supports environmental research by providing data on factors such as ozone levels, air quality, and greenhouse gas concentrations. These data are essential for understanding environmental changes and their impact on the planet.

Satellite Fleet

EUMETSAT operates a diverse fleet of meteorological satellites, including:

Geostationary Satellites: These satellites are positioned in geostationary orbits, providing continuous coverage of specific regions. Notable among these is the Meteosat series, which monitors Europe and adjacent areas. Geostationary satellites capture frequent images and data for short-term weather forecasting.
Polar-Orbiting Satellites: EUMETSAT also operates polar-orbiting satellites, such as the Metop series, which provide global coverage and collect data on atmospheric conditions, sea-surface temperatures, and other meteorological and climate-related parameters. These satellites are crucial for long-term climate monitoring.

EUMETSAT operates a fleet of meteorological satellites that provide valuable data for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and environmental research. Here are some of the meteorological satellites operated by EUMETSAT:

Meteosat Series:

The Meteosat series of geostationary satellites provides continuous coverage of the European region and surrounding areas.

Notable satellites in this series include Meteosat-7, Meteosat-8 (MSG-1), Meteosat-9 (MSG-2), Meteosat-10 (MSG-3), and Meteosat-11 (MSG-4).

These satellites monitor weather patterns, cloud cover, atmospheric conditions, and climate-related phenomena in real-time.

Polar-Orbiting Satellites:

EUMETSAT also operates polar-orbiting satellites that provide global coverage and collect data on atmospheric conditions, sea-surface temperatures, and other meteorological and climate-related parameters.

Examples include the EUMETSAT Polar System - Metop-A, Metop-B, and Metop-C satellites.

Sentinel-4:

Sentinel-4 is a future mission that will be hosted on Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) satellites.

It is dedicated to monitoring atmospheric composition and will provide data on trace gases for air quality and climate applications.

Sentinel-5 (Sentinel-5 Precursor):

Sentinel-5 Precursor is an atmospheric monitoring satellite developed for the European Space Agency (ESA) as part of the Copernicus program.

While it is an ESA mission, EUMETSAT plays a role in the distribution of Sentinel-5 Precursor data, as it is relevant to atmospheric monitoring.

Data Distribution and Services

EUMETSAT collects data from its satellites and distributes it to its member states and international partners. It offers a range of data products and services, including:

Meteorological Data: This includes information on temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, cloud cover, and more. These data are essential for weather forecasting.
Atmospheric Composition Data: EUMETSAT monitors atmospheric composition, including levels of ozone, aerosols, and trace gases. These data contribute to air quality assessments and climate research.
Sea-Surface Temperature Data: These data are vital for oceanography, marine navigation, and climate studies.
Climate Data Records: EUMETSAT provides long-term datasets that support climate monitoring and research.
Disaster Monitoring: The organization offers rapid access to satellite data for disaster management and emergency response.

International Cooperation

EUMETSAT collaborates with various international organizations, including the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the European Commission (EC), to enhance global meteorological and environmental monitoring efforts. It is also involved in the Copernicus program, contributing meteorological data and expertise to support Earth observation and environmental monitoring initiatives.

In summary, EUMETSAT is a crucial organization in the field of meteorology, climate monitoring, and environmental research. Its fleet of meteorological satellites provides valuable data for weather forecasting, climate studies, and disaster management, benefiting society, the environment, and the global scientific community.

ESOC (European Space Operations Center)

The ESOC is the Mission Operations Center (MOC) for most of ESA's space projects.
ESOC maintains and controls a worldwide network of 7 ground stations.
- Four stations are designed for satellite tracking and rocket support during the launch phase in low orbits.
- Three deep space stations are designed to support deep space missions.
Four stations with antennas in Santa Maria (Azores), Kiruna (Sweden), Kourou (French Guiana), and at the European Space Security and Education Center (ESEC) in Redu (Belgium) have the task of monitoring rockets after launch, as well as satellites and spacecraft in near-Earth orbits.
3 deep space stations in New Norcia (Australia), Cebreros (Spain), and Malargüe (Argentina), with their three 35-meter antennas, form a global deep space network that monitors missions around the clock.

Copernicus Programme

Copernicus is the Earth observation component of the European Union Space Programme, managed by the European Commission and implemented in partnership with the following organizations:

EU Member States
The European Space Agency (ESA)
The European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT)
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)
The Joint Research Centre (JRC)
The European Environment Agency (EEA)
The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)
Frontex
SatCen
Mercator Océan

The program aims at achieving a global, continuous, autonomous, high-quality, wide-ranging Earth observation capacity. It provides accurate, timely, and easily accessible information to improve the management of the environment, understand and mitigate the effects of climate change, and ensure civil security, among other purposes.

Earth Observation missions

Sentinel missions: ESA is currently developing seven missions under the Sentinel programme (Sentinel 1, 2, 3, 4, 5P, 5, 6). The Sentinel missions include radar and super-spectral imaging for land, ocean, and atmospheric monitoring. Each Sentinel mission is based on a constellation of two satellites to fulfill and revisit the coverage requirements for each mission, providing robust datasets for all Copernicus services.
- Sentinel-1 is a polar-orbiting, all-weather, day-and-night radar imaging mission for land and ocean services.
  - Sentinel-1A was launched on 3 April 2014, and
  - Sentinel-1B on 25 April 2016.
  - Both were taken into orbit on a Soyuz rocket from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. The mission ended for Sentinel-1B in 2022, and plans are in force to launch Sentinel-1C as soon as possible.
- Sentinel-2 is a polar-orbiting, multispectral high-resolution imaging mission for land monitoring to provide, for example, imagery of vegetation, soil and water cover, inland waterways, and coastal areas. Sentinel-2 can also deliver information for emergency services.
  - Sentinel-2A was launched on 23 June 2015, and
  - Sentinel-2B followed on 7 March 2017.
- Sentinel-3 is a multi-instrument mission to measure sea-surface topography, sea- and land-surface temperature, ocean color, and land color with high-end accuracy and reliability. The mission supports ocean forecasting systems, as well as environmental and climate monitoring.
  - Sentinel-3A was launched on 16 February 2016, and
  - Sentinel-3B joined its twin in orbit on 25 April 2018.
- Sentinel-5 Precursor – also known as Sentinel-5P – is the forerunner of Sentinel-5 to provide timely data on a multitude of trace gases and aerosols affecting air quality and climate. It has been developed to reduce data gaps between the Envisat satellite – in particular the Sciamachy instrument – and the launch of Sentinel-5.
  - Sentinel-5P was taken into orbit on 13 October 2017 on a Rockot launcher from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia.
- Sentinel-4 is a payload devoted to atmospheric monitoring that will be embarked upon a Meteosat Third Generation-Sounder (MTG-S) satellite in geostationary orbit.
- Sentinel-5 is a payload that will monitor the atmosphere from polar orbit aboard a MetOp Second Generation satellite.
- Sentinel-6 carries a radar altimeter to measure global sea-surface height, primarily for operational oceanography and for climate studies.
  - The first satellite was launched into orbit on 21 November 2020 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, US.
Contributing missions: Before the Sentinel missions provide data to Copernicus, numerous existing or planned space missions provide or will provide data useful to the provision of Copernicus services. These missions are often referred to as "GMES Contributing Missions (GCMs)" (source).