ESA Observing the Earth

Earth Observation Excellence Award 2025 winners

In recognition of outstanding contributions to scientific advancement and innovation using Earth observation data, the ESA Earth Observation Excellence Award is presented annually to early-career researchers.

Earth Observation Excellence Award 2025 winners

In recognition of outstanding contributions to scientific advancement and innovation using Earth observation data, the ESA Earth Observation Excellence Award is presented annually to early-career researchers.

How hidden lakes threaten Antarctic Ice Sheet stability

For decades, satellites have played a crucial role in our understanding of the remote polar regions. The ongoing loss of Antarctic ice, owing to the climate crisis, is, sadly, no longer surprising. However, satellites do more than just track the accelerating flow of glaciers towards the ocean and measure ice thickness.

New research highlights how ESA’s CryoSat mission has been used to uncover the hidden impact of subglacial lakes – vast reservoirs of water buried deep under the ice – that can suddenly drain into the ocean in dramatic outbursts and affect ice loss.

Mandalay rupture

Biomass cleared for fuelling

ESA’s Arctic Weather Satellite hailed as excellent

Launched just seven months ago, ESA’s Arctic Weather Satellite has been proving how the New Space approach can accelerate the development of missions capable of delivering detailed temperature and humidity profiles for short-term weather forecasts.

Moreover, the impact of this tiny prototype satellite goes even further – its measuring instrument has been recognised as able to provide data that’s on a par with traditional large missions.

IRIDE first image presented at ESA–ESRIN

The first image from a new Italian Earth observation satellite mission was published today: a high-resolution image of a strip of the Italian peninsular showing the city of Rome at a resolution of 2.66 metres. This is three times higher than the resolution currently available for systematic acquisition over Italy.

Earth from Space: Waza National Park, Cameroon

Media invitation: meet the new MetOp Second Generation and Sentinel-5 missions

Media invitation

Meet the new MetOp Second Generation and Sentinel-5 missions

Earth from Space: Land of giants

Biomass out of the box

Earth from Space: Halong Bay, Vietnam

Three MetOp-SG-B weather siblings

Biomass

Biomass

ESA's forest mission

ESA’s pioneering Biomass satellite arrives at launch site

Marking another step towards new insights into Earth’s forests and their role in the carbon cycle, ESA’s groundbreaking Biomass satellite has arrived at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, to be prepared for liftoff on a Vega-C rocket at the end of April.

Earth from Space: Tirana, Albania

Nord Stream methane leak far bigger than estimated

The methane emitted in 2022 by the damaged Nord Stream gas pipelines was more than double the volume estimated at the time, according to a study published in Nature.

Call for interest: Biomass launch media event at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana

Call for interest

Biomass launch media event at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana

Earth from Space: Maha Kumbh Mela festival, India

Earth from Space: Tokyo, Japan

Two atmospheric missions on one satellite

The second of the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) satellites and the first instrument for the Copernicus Sentinel-4 mission are fully integrated and, having completed their functional and environmental tests, they are now ready to embark on their journey to the US for launch this summer.

Two atmospheric missions on one satellite

The second of the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) satellites and the first instrument for the Copernicus Sentinel-4 mission are fully integrated and, having completed their functional and environmental tests, they are now ready to embark on their journey to the US for launch this summer.

Glacier melt intensifying freshwater loss and accelerating sea-level rise

Ice melting from glaciers around the world is depleting regional freshwater resources and driving global sea levels to rise at ever-faster rates.

According to new findings, through an international effort involving 35 research teams, glaciers have been losing an average of 273 billion tonnes of ice per year since the year 2000 – but hidden within this average there has been an alarming increase over the last 10 years.

Earth from Space: Heart of Mount St Helens

Sentinel-1C demonstrates power to map land deformation

Launched just two months ago and still in the process of being commissioned for service, the Copernicus Sentinel-1C satellite is, remarkably, already showing how its radar data can be used to map the shape of Earth’s land surface with extreme precision.

These first cross-satellite ‘interferometry’ results assure its ability to monitor subsidence, uplift, glacier flow, and disasters such as landslides and earthquakes.

Forest mission on show

After years of meticulous development, ESA’s next Earth Explorer satellite, Biomass, is ready to be packed up for transport to Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, where it will launch aboard a Vega-C rocket this spring.

Before final preparations and shipment, media representatives had the exclusive opportunity today to see the satellite up close in the cleanroom at Airbus’ facilities in Toulouse, France.

Earth from Space: Snow-capped Swiss Alps

Earth from Space: Snow-capped Swiss Alps

Die Erde aus dem Weltraum: Schneebedeckte Schweizer Alpen

ESA and Finland pave the way towards a supersite for Earth observation

Today, ESA, the Finnish government and the Finnish Meteorological Institute took the initial steps towards establishing a ‘supersite’ for Earth observation calibration and validation in Sodankylä in Finnish Lapland.

Envisaged as a joint investment, this world-class site would bring benefits to both ESA, by helping to further ensure satellites deliver accurate data over high latitude environments, and to Finland by providing Finnish businesses with new opportunities to develop and test environmental sensors and technology.

Top 10 persistent methane sources

A list of the top 10 global regions where natural or anthropogenic sources emit methane on a continuous, ‘persistent’ basis was recently published in a scientific journal.

Earth from Space: São Francisco River, Brazil

19 New Space signatures for Copernicus Contributing Missions

Nineteen satellite data companies have signed agreements to provide new or enhanced services to the Copernicus programme in their roles as Copernicus Contributing Missions.

Europe’s carbon dioxide monitoring mission elevated to the power of three

Building on the initial contract to develop two satellites for the Copernicus Anthropogenic Carbon Dioxide Monitoring mission, the European Commission and ESA have now entrusted OHB System AG with the development of a third satellite.

This addition will accelerate global coverage, enabling faster and more comprehensive measurements of carbon dioxide and methane emissions from human activities to enhance the evaluation of climate mitigation efforts.

Ariane 6 to take Sentinel-1D into orbit

Entrusted by the European Commission, ESA has signed a contract with Arianespace to secure an Ariane 6 rocket for the launch of the Sentinel-1D satellite, the fourth unit of the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission, scheduled for the second half of this year.

First MetOp Second Generation satellite to launch in August

ESA, Eumetsat, the European Commission and Arianespace have announced an agreement to advance the launch of the first MetOp Second Generation weather satellite, which also carries the Copernicus Sentinel-5 mission, to August 2025 aboard an Ariane 6 rocket.

Media invitation: cleanroom visit to MTG-S and Sentinel-4

Media invitation: cleanroom visit to MTG-S and Sentinel-4

Smouldering woody debris fuels air pollution over the Amazon

A groundbreaking study, funded by ESA, reveals that fire emissions in the Amazon and Cerrado are largely driven by the smouldering combustion of woody debris. This crucial discovery highlights the significant influence of fuel characteristics on fire emissions, with wide-ranging implications for global carbon cycles, air quality and biodiversity.

Earth from Space: Cyclone Dikeledi

Media invitation: last chance to see ESA’s Biomass satellite

Media invitation: last chance to see ESA’s Biomass satellite

Swarm detects tidal signatures of our oceans

A study using data from ESA’s Swarm mission suggests that faint magnetic signatures created by Earth’s tides can help us determine magma distribution under the seabed and could even give us insights into long-term trends in global ocean temperatures and salinity.

Read: Earth Observation Groundbreaking Science Discoveries

Read: Earth Observation Groundbreaking Science Discoveries

European Space Sciences Committee

Earth from Space: Frozen borders

EarthCARE goes live with data now available to all

With ESA’s EarthCARE satellite and four measuring instruments all working extremely well and fully commissioned, the mission’s ‘first level’ data stream is now freely available.

By combining data from all four instruments, scientists ultimately aim to address a critical Earth science question: how do clouds and aerosols affect the heating and cooling of our atmosphere?

InCubed launches highlight ESA’s support for innovation

Three InCubed satellites have launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, highlighting ESA’s role as partner to industry and its support for business and technology innovation.

IRIDE pathfinder satellite has launched

The first IRIDE satellite – the Pathfinder Hawk – is now in orbit around Earth after lifting off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on 14 January.

As its ‘Pathfinder’ name suggests, this new microsatellite is a prototype for one of the six IRIDE constellations, which are tailored to provide information for a wide range of environmental, emergency and security services for Italy.

Los Angeles struggles to contain wildfires

Los Angeles ablaze

Top Earth observation stories of 2024

This year has been a whirlwind of fascinating Earth observation stories, from dramatic volcanic eruptions to Saharan dust plumes to epic meteorite craters. Let’s dive into some of the most memorable highlights from 2024.

ESA and NASA deliver first joint picture of Greenland Ice Sheet melting

Global warming is driving the rapid melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet, contributing to global sea level rise and disrupting weather patterns worldwide. Because of this, precise measurements of its changing shape are of critical importance for adapting to climate change.

Now, scientists have delivered the first measurements of the Greenland Ice Sheet’s changing shape using data from ESA's CryoSat and NASA's ICESat-2 ice missions.

Earth from Space: Star cities

ESA signs launch contract for climate mission FORUM with Avio

ESA has officially signed a launch service contract with Avio for the upcoming FORUM mission. Scheduled for launch in late 2027, FORUM—short for Far-infrared Outgoing Radiation Understanding and Monitoring—will lift off on a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

Earth from Space: Jakobshavn Glacier, Greenland

High-altitude balloon ride offers new perspective for CAIRT

A novel sensor that simulates the measurements that would be taken by one of the proposed satellites vying to be ESA’s eleventh Earth Explorer, has endured an extraordinary journey.

Carried aboard a high-altitude balloon on a four-day voyage from Sweden to Canada, the sensor provides new data that could help to refine the CAIRT mission concept – a mission that aims to unravel the complexities of Earth's atmosphere and enhance our understanding of climate dynamics.

AI-powered satellite data reveals clouds in 3D

Launched in May 2024, ESA’s EarthCARE satellite is nearing the end of its commissioning phase with the release of its first data on clouds and aerosols expected early next year. In the meantime, an international team of scientists has found an innovative way of applying artificial intelligence to other satellite data to yield 3D profiles of clouds.

This is particularly news for those eagerly awaiting data from EarthCARE in their quest to advance climate science.

Sentinel-1C captures first radar images

Less than a week after its launch, the Copernicus Sentinel-1C satellite has delivered its first radar images of Earth – offering a glimpse into its capabilities for environmental monitoring. These initial images feature regions of interest, including Svalbard in Norway, the Netherlands, and Brussels, Belgium.

UK methane leak spotted using satellites

Researchers from the University of Leeds have detected methane leaking from a faulty pipe in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK, using GHGSat satellite data – part of ESA’s Third Party Mission Programme. This marks the first time a UK methane emission has been identified from space and successfully mitigated.

Earth from Space: First seasonal snow

Vega-C and Sentinel-1C launch highlights

The third Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite, Sentinel-1C, has launched aboard a Vega-C rocket, flight VV25, from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The rocket lifted off on 5 December 2024 at 22:20 CET (18:20 local time).

Sentinel-1C extends the legacy of its predecessors, delivering high-resolution radar imagery to monitor Earth’s changing environment, supporting a diverse range of applications and advance scientific research. Additionally, Sentinel-1C introduces new capabilities for detecting and monitoring maritime traffic. 

The launch also marks Vega-C’s ‘return to flight’, a key step in restoring Europe’s independent access to space. Vega-C is the evolution of the Vega family of rockets and delivers increased performance, greater payload volume and improved competitiveness.

Double win for Europe: Sentinel-1C and Vega-C take to the skies

The third Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite was launched on a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Sentinel-1C extends the legacy of its predecessors, delivering high-resolution radar imagery to monitor Earth’s changing environment, supporting a diverse range of applications and advancing scientific research. Additionally, Sentinel-1C introduces new capabilities for detecting and monitoring maritime traffic.

Double win for Europe: Sentinel-1C and Vega-C take to the skies

The third Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite was launched on a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Sentinel-1C extends the legacy of its predecessors, delivering high-resolution radar imagery to monitor Earth’s changing environment, supporting a diverse range of applications and advancing scientific research. Additionally, Sentinel-1C introduces new capabilities for detecting and monitoring maritime traffic.

Double win for Europe: Sentinel-1C and Vega-C take to the skies

The third Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite was launched on a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Sentinel-1C extends the legacy of its predecessors, delivering high-resolution radar imagery to monitor Earth’s changing environment, supporting a diverse range of applications and advancing scientific research. Additionally, Sentinel-1C introduces new capabilities for detecting and monitoring maritime traffic.

Double win for Europe: Sentinel-1C and Vega-C take to the skies

The third Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite was launched on a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Sentinel-1C extends the legacy of its predecessors, delivering high-resolution radar imagery to monitor Earth’s changing environment, supporting a diverse range of applications and advancing scientific research. Additionally, Sentinel-1C introduces new capabilities for detecting and monitoring maritime traffic.

Sentinel-1C launches on Vega-C

The third Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite, Sentinel-1C, has launched aboard a Vega-C rocket, flight VV25, from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The rocket lifted off on 5 December 2024 at 22:20 CET (18:20 local time).

Sentinel-1C extends the legacy of its predecessors, delivering high-resolution radar imagery to monitor Earth’s changing environment, supporting a diverse range of applications and advance scientific research. Additionally, Sentinel-1C introduces new capabilities for detecting and monitoring maritime traffic.

The launch also marks Vega-C’s ‘return to flight’, a key step in restoring Europe’s independent access to space. Vega-C is the evolution of the Vega family of rockets and delivers increased performance, greater payload volume and improved competitiveness.

Sentinel-1C launches on Vega-C

The third Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite, Sentinel-1C, has launched aboard a Vega-C rocket, flight VV25, from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The rocket lifted off on 5 December 2024 at 22:20 CET (18:20 local time).

Sentinel-1C extends the legacy of its predecessors, delivering high-resolution radar imagery to monitor Earth’s changing environment, supporting a diverse range of applications and advance scientific research. Additionally, Sentinel-1C introduces new capabilities for detecting and monitoring maritime traffic.

The launch also marks Vega-C’s ‘return to flight’, a key step in restoring Europe’s independent access to space. Vega-C is the evolution of the Vega family of rockets and delivers increased performance, greater payload volume and improved competitiveness.

Relive Sentinel-1C on Vega-C launch

The third Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite, Sentinel-1C, launched aboard a Vega-C rocket, flight VV25, from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 5 December 2024 at 22:20 CET (18:20 local time).

Sentinel-1C extends the legacy of its predecessors, delivering high-resolution radar imagery to monitor Earth’s changing environment, supporting a diverse range of applications and advance scientific research. Additionally, Sentinel-1C introduces new capabilities for detecting and monitoring maritime traffic.

The launch also marks Vega-C’s ‘return to flight’, a key step in restoring Europe’s independent access to space. Vega-C is the evolution of the Vega family of rockets and delivers increased performance, greater payload volume and improved competitiveness.

Access the related broadcast quality video material.

ESA teams up with Massive Attack to boost climate action

A mesmerising audiovisual experience from trip-hop collective Massive Attack that blends an original score with stunning satellite images of Earth was enjoyed by thousands of climate enthusiasts in Liverpool.

Watch live: Vega-C to launch Sentinel-1C

The Copernicus Sentinel-1C satellite is ready for liftoff! Tune in to ESA WebTV on 4 December from 22:00 CET to watch the satellite soar into space on a Vega-C rocket to be launched from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Sentinel-1C is scheduled to liftoff at 22:20 CET.

Watch live: Vega-C to launch Sentinel-1C

Update: launch postponed to Thursday 5 December 2024.

Due to a mechanical issue preventing the withdrawal of the mobile gantry, the launch chronology has been stopped. 

The earliest targeted launch date is planned for tomorrow Thursday 5 December 2024 at 22:20 CET (18:20 local time in Kourou). The launcher and its passenger the Copernicus Sentinel-1C satellite are in stable and safe conditions.

Tune in to ESA WebTV on 5 December from 22:00 CET to watch the satellite soar into space on a Vega-C rocket to be launched from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. 

Earth from Space: Agricultural patchwork, Romania

How do radar satellites work?

Radar allows us to see through what would otherwise be invisible. By sending out radio waves that bounce off objects and return as echoes, radar creates a detailed picture of our surrounding world.

This technology is everywhere: from guiding air traffic and enabling self-driving cars to tracking the movements of athletes. But its reach doesn’t stop there—radar is also transforming how we observe our Earth from space.

Satellites like the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission use radar to see through clouds, darkness and any weather conditions. This capability is invaluable for detecting subtle changes on Earth’s surface—changes that are often hidden from the human eye. Discover how radar technology is helping us unlock these hidden insights about our planet.

Taking to the skies for EarthCARE

Launched just six months ago and still in its commissioning phase, ESA’s EarthCARE satellite is already producing remarkable data from its four instruments, offering groundbreaking insights into clouds, aerosols, and Earth’s energy balance.

Highlighting the importance to Earth system science and climate research, teams worldwide are out in force taking measurements to verify and enhance the accuracy of EarthCARE’s data.

Taking to the skies for EarthCARE

Launched just six months ago and still in its commissioning phase, ESA’s EarthCARE satellite is already producing remarkable data from its four instruments, offering groundbreaking insights into clouds, aerosols, and Earth’s energy balance.

Highlighting the importance to Earth system science and climate research, teams worldwide are out in force taking measurements to verify and enhance the accuracy of EarthCARE’s data.

Sentinel-1C pre-launch media briefing

Watch the replay of the Sentinel-1C pre-launch media briefing for detailed information on the mission which will be launched aboard a Vega-C rocket no earlier than 4 December at 18:20 local time (22:20 CET) from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

Watch live: Sentinel-1C pre-launch media briefing

Watch live: Sentinel-1C pre-launch media briefing

Follow the media briefing today at 15:00 CET on ESA Web TV

ESA awards development contract for NanoMagSat

Today, the ESA awarded a contract to Open Cosmos to design, build, launch and commission the NanoMagSat Scout satellites. This new mission will uphold Europe’s leadership in monitoring Earth’s magnetic field and contribute to applications such as space weather hazard assessment, navigation, directional drilling, and more.

10 ways Sentinel-1 data lets us ‘see’ our world

As the launch of the Sentinel-1C satellite approaches, we reflect on some of the many ways the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission has given us remarkable radar insights into our planet over the years.

10 ways Sentinel-1 data lets us ‘see’ our world

As the launch of the Sentinel-1C satellite approaches, we reflect on some of the many ways the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission has given us remarkable radar insights into our planet over the years.

Watch live: ESA’s Earth Observation Commercialisation Forum

Watch selected sessions of ESA’s Earth Observation Commercialisation Forum on ESA Web TV.

Taking place this week at KAP Europa in Frankfurt, Germany, from 27 to 28 November 2024, end users, institutions, entrepreneurs and companies from the Earth observation sector will come together to discuss the commercial potentials and challenges of the fast-growing Earth observation commercial space sector.

Media invitation: Sentinel-1C pre-launch media briefings 

Media invitation: Sentinel-1C pre-launch media briefings 

Earth from Space: ‘Angry husband’ eruption

Copernicus Sentinel-1: radar vision for Copernicus

Meet Copernicus Sentinel-1 – this ground-breaking mission delivers continuous, all-weather, day-and-night imaging for land, ice and maritime monitoring. 

Equipped with state-of-the-art C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR), Sentinel-1 captures high-resolution data around the clock, in any weather, making it indispensable for detecting the subtle changes on Earth’s surface that remain hidden from the human eye.

Sentinel-1 data serves a multitude of critical applications: from ensuring the safety and efficiency of maritime traffic, tracking sea ice and icebergs, to monitoring structural integrity and natural hazards, such as earthquakes, landslides and volcanic activity. 

Its enhanced radar technology provides precises precise information on ground movement, which is critical for urban planning, infrastructure resilience, subsidence risk assessment and geohazard monitoring. 

Through consistent, long-term data collection, Sentinel-1 serves as a global asset, essential for environmental and safety monitoring worldwide. The mission is a beacon of innovation, advancing our understanding of our planet’s dynamic landscape.

This video features interviews with Mark Drinkwater, Head of Mission Sciences Division at ESA, Ramon Torres Cuesta, Sentinel-1 Project Manager at ESA and Julia Kubanek, Sentinel-1 Mission Scientist at ESA.

Destination Earth awarded

Destination Earth awarded

DestinE receives honours in HPCwire Readers’ and Editors’ Choice Awards

Space for Shore: Sentinel-1 reveals Arctic glacier retreat

As Arctic temperatures rise, marine-terminating glaciers—especially in places like Svalbard—are undergoing rapid retreat and intensified calving.

The ESA-funded Space for Shore project utilises radar data from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission to provide precise, year-over-year insights into glacier retreat and calving intensity, particularly in areas like Kongsfjorden, where notable glaciers are experiencing significant retreat.

Sentinel-1C fuelled ahead of liftoff

Marking a major milestone in the preparation of Copernicus Sentinel-1C for its scheduled 3 December liftoff, experts have completed the critical and hazardous process of fuelling the satellite.

Once in orbit, Sentinel-1C will extend the Sentinel-1 mission’s legacy, delivering radar imagery to monitor Earth’s changing environment to support a diverse range of applications and scientific research. Additionally, Sentinel-1C brings new capabilities for detecting and monitoring maritime traffic

Earth from Space: Clouds or snow?

ESA signs contracts advancing Greece’s Earth observation capabilities

Today, the European Space Agency signed six contracts that will help position Greece as a key player in the field of Earth observation.

Extreme heat weakens land’s power to absorb carbon

A new European Space Agency-backed study shows that the extreme heatwaves of 2023, which fuelled huge wildfires and severe droughts, also undermined the land’s capacity to soak up atmospheric carbon. This diminished carbon uptake drove atmospheric carbon dioxide levels to new highs, intensifying concerns about accelerating climate change.

CHIME given the shakes

A model of the CHIME instrument has recently undergone rigorous testing to confirm it can endure the stresses of launch and the harsh conditions of space. This new Copernicus mission will provide critical data to support sustainable agriculture, and more.

Earth from Space: Autumn foliage across Europe

This compilation of images, captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission, showcases the characteristic hues of autumn in different European countries.

Snow returns to Mount Fuji

Devastating floods in Spain witnessed by satellites

Torrential rainfall causing deadly flash floods has hit southern and eastern Spain in regions including the Costa del Sol, where the city of Malaga is located, and Valencia in the east. As these areas struggle to cope with the aftermath, satellite technology has played a crucial role in assessing the damages of the affected areas.

Devastating floods in Spain witnessed by satellites

Torrential rainfall causing deadly flash floods has hit southern and eastern Spain in regions including the Costa del Sol, where the city of Malaga is located, and Valencia in the east. As these areas struggle to cope with the aftermath, satellite technology has played a crucial role in assessing the damages of the affected areas.

The article is being updated as new satellite images become available.

CRISTAL prepares to sparkle

The structure of the first Copernicus Sentinel CRISTAL satellite is now ready to be equipped with the hardware that will allow it to function in orbit. Then, engineers will be able to install the advanced instruments that will provide ‘crystal clear’ insights into environmental changes in the world’s remote icy regions. 

CRISTAL prepares to sparkle

The structure of the first Copernicus Sentinel CRISTAL satellite is now ready to be equipped with the hardware that will allow it to function in orbit. Then, engineers will be able to install the advanced instruments that will provide ‘crystal clear’ insights into environmental changes in the world’s remote icy regions. 

Cristal prepares to sparkle

The structure of the first Copernicus Sentinel Cristal satellite is now ready to be equipped with the hardware that will allow it to function in orbit. Then, engineers will be able to install the advanced instruments that will provide ‘crystal clear’ insights into environmental changes in the world’s remote icy regions. 

Earth from Space: Ross Island, Antarctica

Valencia flood disaster

How marine heatwaves impact phytoplankton and ocean health

Marine heatwaves – periods of prolonged, unusually warm seawater – are increasingly threatening marine ecosystems around the world. A recent study, led by the Institute of Marine Sciences of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR-ISMAR) as part of ESA’s CAREHeat project, specifically examined these effects in the North-Western Mediterranean Sea.

By combining satellite data from ESA’s Climate Change Initiative (ESA CCI), in situ robotic platforms called BioGeoChemical-Argo floats and Copernicus Marine’s biogeochemical models, the research highlights how these heatwaves significantly disrupt the spring phytoplankton bloom – a vital process for marine life.

Thin cool surface skin boosts ocean’s carbon uptake

New research, partially funded by ESA, reveals that the cool ‘ocean skin’ allows oceans to absorb more atmospheric carbon dioxide than previously thought. These findings could enhance global carbon assessments, shaping more effective emission-reduction policies.

Earth from Space: Northern Ohio

Emilia-Romagna hit by severe flooding

Earth from Space: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Future of Copernicus Expansion Missions secured

The Copernicus Sentinel Expansion Missions are a major leap forward in Europe’s Earth observation capabilities. With the United Kingdom’s re-entry to the EU’s Copernicus programme, funding has been confirmed to complete the development of all six Copernicus Sentinel Expansion Missions, as discussed this week during the International Astronautical Congress taking place in Milan, Italy.

Moving ahead with Italy’s constellation of Earth observation satellites

Today, during the 75th International Astronautical Congress taking place in Milan, Italy, ESA signed the extension of contracts with Argotec and Thales Alenia Space Italia (TASI) for the production of the second batch of IRIDE satellites – a future Earth observation constellation designed to monitor environmental changes and support critical services in Italy.

EarthCARE synergy reveals power of clouds and aerosols

With the initial images from each of the instruments aboard ESA’s EarthCARE satellite now in hand, it's time to reveal how these four advanced sensors work in synergy to measure exactly how clouds and aerosols influence the heating and cooling of our atmosphere. 

Contract secures build for ESA’s Harmony mission

ESA has awarded a contract valued at over €280 million to OHB in Germany to build ESA’s two Harmony Earth Explorer satellites.

This innovative research mission will provide valuable new data on various Earth processes, from shifts in the shape of the land surface caused by earthquakes and volcanic activity to insights into glacier movement. Additionally, it will enhance our understanding of the interactions between the upper ocean and lower atmosphere, all of which will contribute to a deeper comprehension of Earth's dynamic systems.

Living Planet Symposium 2025: time for abstracts

ESA’s Living Planet Symposium 2025 will take place from 23–27 June 2025 at the Austria Center Vienna, Austria. As this prestigious event approaches, now is the time to submit your abstracts for a chance to present your research on topics related to Earth observation from space, with a special focus on the theme: From Observation to Climate Action and Sustainability for Earth.

Earth from Space: Hardap Dam, Namibia

Sound of Earth’s magnetic flip 41 000 years ago

Approximately 41 000 years ago, Earth’s magnetic field briefly reversed during what is known as the Laschamp event. During this time, Earth’s magnetic field weakened significantly—dropping to a minimum of 5% of its current strength—which allowed more cosmic rays to reach Earth’s atmosphere.

Scientists at the Technical University of Denmark and the German Research Centre for Geosciences used data from ESA’s Swarm mission, along with other sources, to create a sounded visualisation of the Laschamp event. They mapped the movement of Earth’s magnetic field lines during the event and created a stereo sound version which is what you can hear in the video.

The soundscape was made using recordings of natural noises like wood creaking and rocks falling, blending them into familiar and strange, almost alien-like, sounds. The process of transforming the sounds with data is similar to composing music from a score.

Data from ESA’s Swarm constellation are being used to better understand how Earth’s magnetic field is generated. The satellites measure magnetic signals not only from the core, but also from the mantle, crust, oceans and up to the ionosphere and magnetosphere. These data are crucial for studying phenomena such as geomagnetic reversals and Earth’s internal dynamics.

The sound of Earth’s magnetic field, the first version of the magnetic field sonification produced with Swarm data, was originally played through a 32-speaker system set up in a public square in Copenhagen, with each speaker representing changes in the magnetic field at different places around the world over the past 100 000 years.

First all-new MetOp complete and sibling in testing

With all instruments integrated, the first MetOp Second Generation-A, MetOp-SG-A1, weather satellite is now fully assembled and on schedule for liftoff next year. Meanwhile, its sibling, MetOp-SG-B1, is undergoing rigorous testing to ensure that it will withstand the vacuum and extreme temperature swings of space.

Sentinel-1C arrives in French Guiana

The Sentinel-1C satellite, the third satellite of the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission, has arrived at the European spaceport in French Guiana for liftoff on the Vega-C rocket at the end of 2024. The satellite will continue the critical task of delivering key radar imagery of Earth’s surface for a wide range of Copernicus services and scientific applications.

Earth from Space: Kunshan, China

Sentinel-2 unveils the seasonal rhythm of intertidal seagrass

Thanks to an ESA-funded project and data from the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission, researchers have revealed seasonal variations in intertidal seagrass across Western Europe and North Africa. As a key indicator of biodiversity, these new findings offer valuable insights for the conservation and restoration of these vital ecosystems.

Dust sparked biggest phytoplankton bloom in decades

New research reveals that dust carried by the wind from southern Africa towards Madagascar triggered the largest phytoplankton bloom in two decades – and, unusually, this occurred at a time of year when such blooms are rarely seen.

Unveiling the hidden snow dunes shaping Antarctica's frozen landscape

Sand dunes are a familiar sight along beaches and in deserts. While we know how regular sand dunes are formed, much less is known about dunes made of snow. In a new study, scientists have analysed the vast snow dunes across Antarctica – reshaping our understanding of the continent's surface dynamics.

This research sheds light on the unexplored world of Antarctic snow dunes, offering a fresh perspective on the complex interactions between wind, snow and climate in one of Earth's harshest environments.

ESA releases new strategy for Earth observation

ESA has released its new Earth Observation Science Strategy, Earth Science in Action for Tomorrow’s World. Responding to the escalating threats from climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and extreme weather and the need to take action to address these threats, this forward-looking strategy outlines a bold vision for Earth science through to 2040.

Earth from Space: Northern Territory, Australia

Sentinel-2C captures stunning glimpse of the Moon

Sentinel-2C captures stunning glimpse of the Moon