Living Planet Programme

Currently there are ten approved Earth Explorer missions, four (SMOS, CryoSat-2, SWARM, EarthCARE) of which are in orbit and operating:

• GOCE – Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer; it was launched on 17 March 2009.{{citation|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE|publisher=ESA|title=GOCE site|access-date=30 January 2016}} It reentered the atmosphere on 11 November 2013.
• SMOS – Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity satellite{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/The_Living_Planet_Programme/Earth_Explorers/SMOS/ESA_s_water_mission_SMOS|title=ESA's water mission SMOS|publisher=ESA|date=6 November 2013|access-date=30 January 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105013333/http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/The_Living_Planet_Programme/Earth_Explorers/SMOS/ESA_s_water_mission_SMOS|archive-date=5 January 2016|df=dmy-all}}{{cite journal|date=February 2009|title=Exploring the Water Cycle of the 'Blue Planet': The Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission|journal=ESA Bulletin|publisher=European Space Agency|issue=137|pages=6–15 |url=http://www.esa.int/esapub/bulletin/bulletin137/bul137b_drinkwater.pdf |first1=Mark |last1=Drinkwater |first2=Yann |last2=Kerr |first3=Jordi |last3=Font |first4=Michael |last4=Berger}} will study ocean salinity and soil moisture; it was launched on 2 November 2009.{{cite news | title=European water mission lifts off | date=2 November 2009 | publisher=BBC News | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8331962.stm | first1=Jonathan |last1=Amos | access-date = 30 January 2016}}
• CryoSat – a program designed to map the Earth's ice cover.
• CryoSat-1 was lost in 2005 when the Russian SS-19 Rockot launch vehicle malfunctioned and was terminated.
• CryoSat-2 was launched on 8 April 2010.
• Swarm – a trio of satellites to map the Earth's magnetic field.{{cite web|url=https://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Eurockot_to_launch_two_ESA_Earth_observation_missions|title=Eurockot to launch two ESA Earth observation missions|publisher=ESA|date=9 April 2010|access-date=16 February 2019|df=dmy-all}} The SWARM constellation was launched successfully on 22 November 2013.{{cite web |title=Esa's satellite Swarm launch to map Earth's magnetism |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25028502| publisher=BBC News |date=22 November 2013}}
• Aeolus – the Atmospheric Dynamics Mission Aeolus uses an innovative laser to measure global winds. Aeolus was successfully launched on 22 August 2018{{cite web |url=https://earth.esa.int/web/guest/missions/esa-future-missions/aeolus |title=Aeolus – ESA Future Missions |publisher=ESA |access-date=19 September 2017}}{{cite news|last1=de Selding|first1=Peter B.|title=Cost, Schedule Woes on 2 Lidar Missions Push ESA To Change Contract Procedures|url=http://spacenews.com/cost-schedule-woes-on-2-lidar-missions-push-esa-to-change-contract-procedures/|access-date=3 October 2015|publisher=SpaceNews|date=22 May 2015}} and deorbited and re-entered the atmosphere over Antarctica on 28 July 2023.{{Cite web |title=Aeolus: a historic end to a trailblazing mission |url=https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/Aeolus/Aeolus_a_historic_end_to_a_trailblazing_mission |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}
• EarthCARE – Earth Clouds Aerosols and Radiation Explorer will examine the formation and effects of clouds.{{cite web |date=28 May 2008 |title=ESA signs EUR 263m earth monitoring satellite contract |url=http://www.environmental-expert.com/news/esa-signs-eur-263m-earth-monitoring-satellite-contract-32309 |access-date=30 January 2016 |publisher=Environment Expert}}{{cite web |title=EarthCARE – Earth Online – ESA |url=https://earth.esa.int/web/guest/missions/esa-future-missions/earthcare |access-date=16 January 2019 |publisher=ESA}} Launched on 28 May 2024.{{cite web |date=27 October 2023 |title=Gearing up for EarthCARE |url=https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/EarthCARE/Gearing_up_for_EarthCARE |access-date=28 October 2023 |work=ESA}}

Approved, but yet to launch :

• BIOMASS – designed to calculate the amount of carbon stored in the world's forests, and to monitor for any changes over the course of its five-year mission.{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/The_Living_Planet_Programme/Earth_Explorers/Future_missions/Biomass |title=Biomass |publisher=ESA |date=3 May 2019 |access-date=27 May 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://earth.esa.int/web/guest/missions/esa-future-missions/biomass |title=Biomass – ESA Future Missions |publisher=ESA |access-date=19 September 2017}}{{cite web |last=Amos |first=Jonathan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22435656 |title=Esa approves Biomass satellite to monitor Earth's forests |work=BBC News |date=8 May 2013 |access-date=8 May 2013}} Due to launch in 2025.{{Cite web |title=Forest mission on show |url=https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/Biomass/Forest_mission_on_show |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}
• FLEX – the FLuorescence EXplorer mission will globally monitor steady-state chlorophyll fluorescence in terrestrial vegetation.{{cite news|last1=de Selding|first1=Peter B.|title=Panel Endorses Vegetation Fluorescence Mapper for ESA's Earth Explorer Program|url=http://spacenews.com/panel-endorses-vegetation-fluorescence-mapper-for-esas-earth-explorer-program/|access-date=3 October 2015|publisher=SpaceNews|date=25 September 2015}} It is currently scheduled to launch in 2026.{{cite web |url=https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Altius |title=ALTIUS - ESA's ozone mission |access-date=4 May 2024 |work=ESA}}{{cite press release |url=https://www.arianespace.com/press-release/arianespace-to-launch-with-vega-c-flex-altius-two-esa-programmes-at-the-service-of-environment/ |title=Arianespace to launch with Vega C FLEX & ALTIUS, two ESA programmes at the service of environment |work=Arianespace |date=11 January 2022 |access-date=11 January 2022}}
• FORUM – Far-infrared Outgoing Radiation Understanding and Monitoring; a mission to measure Earth's outgoing radiation emissions across the entire far-infrared electromagnetic spectrum, in order to gain insight into water vapour and cirrus cloud regulation of the planet's surface temperature. It is currently projected to launch in 2027.{{cite web |url=https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/Contract_secures_design_for_ESA_s_FORUM_satellite |title=Contract secures design for ESA’s FORUM satellite |date=28 June 2022 |access-date=28 June 2022 |work=ESA}}{{cite conference |url=https://archive.org/details/cgms-49-esa-wp-06 |title=Status of the Current and Future ESA Earth Observation Missions and Programmes |pages=33–37 |work=ESA |conference=CGMS-49 |date=14 May 2021 |access-date=27 August 2021 |via=the Internet Archive}}
• Harmony (formerly known as Stereoid) – a pair of synthetic aperture radar satellites that aims to further the study of ocean circulation patterns, glacial dynamics, and changes in land-surface topography.{{cite web |url=https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/ESA_moves_forward_with_Harmony |title=ESA moves forward with Harmony |publisher=ESA |date=23 February 2021 |access-date=11 June 2021}} It is currently projected to launch in 2029.{{cite web |url=https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/ESA_selects_Harmony_as_tenth_Earth_Explorer_mission |title=ESA selects Harmony as tenth Earth Explorer mission |work=ESA |date=22 September 2022 |access-date=22 September 2022}}

The competition for the Earth Explorer 11 mission began on 10 June 2021. A call for proposal ideas was released on 25 May 2020, with the deadline for submission on 4 December 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Future_EO/Earth_Explorers/Four_mission_ideas_to_compete_for_Earth_Explorer_11 |title=Calling for ideas for next Earth Explorer |publisher=ESA |date=25 May 2020 |access-date=25 May 2020}} Four candidates were chosen to compete for the opportunity:{{cite web |url=https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Calling_for_ideas_for_next_Earth_Explorer |title=Four mission ideas to compete for Earth Explorer 11 |publisher=ESA |date=10 June 2021 |access-date=11 June 2021}}

• Cairt (Changing-Atmosphere Infra-Red Tomography Explorer) – a mission to observe atmospheric chemistry and dynamics in the altitude range of 5 to 120 km, in order to better understand the relationship between climate change and atmospheric circulation.
• Nitrosat – a mission to precisely measure nitrogen dioxide and ammonia levels in the atmosphere, which is essential to understanding the role of nitrogen compounds in aerosol pollution.
• Wivern (Wind Velocity Radar Nephoscope) – a mission to measure cloud wind velocity, rain, snow, and ice water via a Doppler weather radar nephoscope, in order to improve weather forecast models.
• Seastar – a mission to study sub-mesoscale meteorological dynamics by providing 1 km resolution ocean surface current and wind vectors for coast, shelf, and polar ice zones.

Cairt and Wivern have been selected as the final two competing entries. The winning candidate will be chosen in 2025 with a projected launch date in 2032 or 2033.{{cite web |url=https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/Cairt_and_Wivern_Earth_Explorer_candidates_go_forward |title=Cairt and Wivern Earth Explorer candidates go forward |publisher=ESA |date=21 November 2023 |access-date=22 November 2023}}

Past candidate missions that were not selected include:

• CoReH2O – a mission to study key characteristics in terrestrial snow, ice, and water cycles and their relations to climate change and variability.{{cite web |url=https://earth.esa.int/web/guest/document-library/browse-document-library/-/article/coreh2o-report-for-mission-selection-an-earth-explorer-to-observe-snow-and-ice |title=CoReH2O – Report for Mission Selection – An Earth Explorer to observe snow and ice |publisher=ESA |date=1 May 2012 |access-date=19 September 2017}} Competed with BIOMASS and PREMIER for the Earth Explorer 7 mission opportunity.
• PREMIER – a mission to study atmospheric processes related to trace gas, radiation, and chemical compositions in the mid to upper troposphere and lower stratosphere in order to understand their role on climate change.{{cite web |url=https://earth.esa.int/web/guest/document-library/browse-document-library/-/article/premier-report-for-mission-selection-an-earth-explorer-to-observe-atmospheric-composition |title=PREMIER – Report for Mission Selection – An Earth Explorer to observe atmospheric composition |publisher=ESA |date=1 May 2012 |access-date=19 September 2017}} Competed with BIOMASS and CoReH2O for the Earth Explorer 7 mission opportunity.
• CarbonSat – a mission to determine the global distributions of carbon dioxide and methane and their impact on climate change.{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/The_Living_Planet_Programme/Reports_on_Earth_Explorer_candidates_CarbonSat_and_FLEX_now_available |title=Reports on Earth Explorer Candidates CarbonSat and FLEX Now Available |publisher=ESA |date=30 June 2015 |access-date=19 September 2017}} Competed with FLEX for the Earth Explorer 8 mission opportunity.
• SKIM – a mission to measure ocean-surface currents using the Doppler technique, in order to improve understanding of the ocean current dynamics behind the hydrological and geochemical cycles.{{cite web |url=https://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Two_new_Earth_Explorer_concepts_to_understand_our_rapidly_changing_world |title=Two new Earth Explorer concepts to understand our rapidly changing world |publisher=ESA |date=15 November 2017 |access-date=16 February 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Save_the_date_Earth_Explorer_9_User_Consultation_Meeting |title=Save the date: Earth Explorer 9 User Consultation Meeting |publisher=ESA |date=30 January 2019 |access-date=16 February 2019}} Competed with FORUM for the Earth Explorer 9 mission opportunity.
• Daedalus – a mission to study the electrodynamic processes of the Earth's thermosphere and ionosphere. Competed with Harmony for the Earth Explorer 10 mission opportunity.{{cite web |url=https://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Three_Earth_Explorer_ideas_selected |title=Three Earth Explorer ideas selected |publisher=ESA |date=21 September 2018 |access-date=16 February 2019}}
• Hydroterra (formerly known as G-Class) – a geosynchronous synthetic aperture radar satellite that aims to observe diurnal water cycle processes, in order to improve weather prediction capabilities. Competed with Harmony for the Earth Explorer 10 mission opportunity.

• CryoRad proposes to measure low frequency passive microwave radiometry of the cryosphere.
• ECO would directly measure the difference between incoming solar radiation and outgoing radiation of the planet.
• Hydroterra+ is a geostationary satellite mission to provide high temporal rate SAR imagery to understand rapid water cycle and tectonic events.
• Keystone would measure atomic oxygen in 50-100km of the atmosphere.

From the 17 submissions, which were all thoroughly evaluated, ESA’s Advisory Committee for Earth Observation (ACEO) recommended that four of the ideas should go forward to the assessment study phase.{{cite web |url=https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/Preparing_for_tomorrow/ESA_selects_four_new_Earth_Explorer_mission_ideas |title=ESA selects for new Earth Explorer mission ideas|publisher=ESA |date=17 April 2024 |access-date=16 May 2024}}

• List of European Space Agency programmes and missions

{{reflist}}

{{European Space Agency}}

{{Use British English|date=January 2014}}

Category:European Space Agency programmes