earth online
  • All Categories (961)
  • Data (10)
  • News (47)
  • Missions (2)
  • Events (22)
  • Tools (2)
  • Activities (2)
  • Campaigns (4)
  • Documents (872)
  • News - General News

    prompt photo

    ESA's improved Earth system data records: what is in store for the future?

    Fundamental Data Records (FDRs) are instrumental in advancing our understanding of Earth systems and for addressing societal challenges effectively. These long-term records contain uncertainty-quantified, calibrated and geo-located multi-instrument/multi-platform satellite sensor data spanning several decades to support climate-related applications.

  • News - Operational News

    prompt photo

    Transition from FTP to FTPS for SMOS, Aeolus and Campaign data dissemination systems

    As of 15 April 2024 access to the SMOS, Aeolus and Campaign data will be changed from simple FTP to FTPS.

  • News - Data Release news

    prompt photo

    FDR4ALT - ESA unveils new cutting-edge ERS/Envisat Altimeter and Microwave Radiometer Datasets

    The European Space Agency (ESA) has developed a comprehensive suite of innovative Earth system data records as part of the Fundamental Data Records for Altimetry project - FDR4ALT.

  • Data - EO Sign In Authentication (Open)

    prompt photo

    Sea Ice Thematic Data Product [ALT_TDP_SI]

    This is the Sea Ice Thematic Data Product (TDP) V1 resulting from the ESA FDR4ALT project and containing the sea ice related geophysical parameters, along with associated uncertainties: snow depth, radar and sea-ice freeboard, sea ice thickness and concentration. The collection covers data for the ERS-1, ERS-2 and Envisat missions, and bases on Level 1 data coming from previous reprocessing (ERS REAPER and the Envisat V3.0) but taking into account the improvements made at Level 0/Level 1 in the frame of FDR4ALT (ALT FDR). The Sea Ice TDP provides data from the northern or southern hemisphere in two files corresponding to the Arctic and Antarctic regions respectively for the winter periods only, i.e., October to June for the Arctic, and May to November for the Antarctic. For many aspects, the Sea Ice TDP is very innovative: First time series of sea-ice thickness estimates for ERS Homogeneous calibration, allowing the first Arctic radar freeboard time series from ERS-1 (1991) to CryoSat-2 (2021) Uncertainties estimated along-track with a bottom-up approach based on dominant sources ERS pulse blurring error corrected using literature procedure [Peacock, 2004] The FDR4ALT products are available in NetCDF format. Free standard tools for reading NetCDF data can be used. Information for expert altimetry users is also available in a dedicated NetCDF group within the products. Please consult the FDR4ALT Product User Guide before using the data. The FDR4ALT datasets represent the new reference data for the ERS/Envisat altimetry missions, superseding any previous mission data. Users are strongly encouraged to make use of these datasets for optimal results.

  • Data - EO Sign In Authentication (Open)

    prompt photo

    Land Ice Thematic Data Product [ALT_TDP_LI]

    This is the Land Ice Thematic Data Product (TDP) V1 resulting from the ESA FDR4ALT project and containing estimates of ice sheet surface elevation and associated uncertainties. The collection covers data for three different missions: ERS-1, ERS-2 and Envisat, and based on Level 1 data coming from previous reprocessing (ERS REAPER and the Envisat V3.0) but taking into account the improvements made at Level 0/Level 1 in the frame of FDR4ALT (ALT FDR). The Land Ice TDP focuses specifically on the ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica, providing these data in different files. For many aspects, the Land Ice Level 2 and Level 2+ processing is very innovative: Improved relocation approach correcting for topographic effects within the beam footprint to identify the Point of Closest Approach Homogeneous timeseries of surface elevation measurements at regular along-track reference nodes. The FDR4ALT products are available in NetCDF format. Free standard tools for reading NetCDF data can be used. Information for expert altimetry users is also available in a dedicated NetCDF group within the products. Please consult the FDR4ALT Product User Guide before using the data. The FDR4ALT datasets represent the new reference data for the ERS/Envisat altimetry missions, superseding any previous mission data. Users are strongly encouraged to make use of these datasets for optimal results.

  • Data - EO Sign In Authentication (Open)

    prompt photo

    Inland Waters Thematic Data Product [ALT_TDP_IW]

    This is the Inland Waters Thematic Data Product (TDP) V1 resulting from the ESA FDR4ALT project and containing improved Water Surface Height (WSH) data record from the ERS-1, ERS-2 and Envisat missions estimated using the ICE1 retracking range for its better performance on the hydro targets. The FDR4ALT products are available in NetCDF format. Free standard tools for reading NetCDF data can be used. Information for expert altimetry users is also available in a dedicated NetCDF group within the products. Please consult the FDR4ALT Product User Guide before using the data. The FDR4ALT datasets represent the new reference data for the ERS/Envisat altimetry missions, superseding any previous mission data. Users are strongly encouraged to make use of these datasets for optimal results.

  • News - Data Release news

    prompt photo

    New reanalysis dataset impacts SMOS Level 3 and 4 sea ice thickness

    On 24 January 2024 the JRA55 reanalysis dataset was terminated and updated with the Japanese Reanalysis for Three Quarters of a Century.

  • News - Success Stories

    prompt photo

    Trailblazing ERS-2 mission enables climate change applications

    As ESA’s ERS-2 satellite approaches Earth’s atmosphere for reentry, it’s time to reflect on the mission’s great achievements in powering climate-related applications.

  • News - Maintenance News

    prompt photo

    SMOS Data Dissemination - Maintenance on 30 January 2024

    A planned software maintenance activity will affect ESA's SMOS data dissemination service on 30 January 2024, from 08:30 to 09:30 UTC.

  • News - Events and Proceedings

    prompt photo

    Highlighting the value of SMOS data in space weather applications

    Data from ESA’s SMOS mission are driving many space weather applications, ranging from air navigation, characterisation of solar flares, space weather modelling and ionospheric electron content mapping.

  • News - General News

    prompt photo

    Ensuring soil moisture data quality with reference measurements

    ESA is taking steps to verify the accuracy of soil moisture estimation with the Fiducial Reference Measurements for Soil Moisture (FRM4SM) project and a new version of the Quality Assurance for Soil Moisture (QA4SM) service.

  • Event - Workshop

    prompt photo

    2nd SMOS for Space Weather Workshop

    The Second Workshop on SMOS for Space Weather will take place on 27 October 2023, hosted by the Space Weather Group of the University of Alcala, Alcalá de Henares (Madrid, Spain).

  • News - Events and Proceedings

    prompt photo

    2nd SMOS for Space Weather Workshop

    The 2nd Workshop on SMOS for Space Weather will take place on 27th October 2023, hosted by the Space Weather Group of the University of Alcala, Alcalá de Henares (Madrid, Spain).

  • News - Success Stories

    prompt photo

    Synergy of space data helps modernise irrigation systems

    The growing demands on agriculture, coupled with the climate crisis, are pressurising Earth’s valuable freshwater resources and making assessment of water practices ever more important.

  • News - General News

    prompt photo

    SMOS Tools updates

    Updates for two SMOS tools have been released, offering new features and improvements.

  • News - Spotlight on EO community

    prompt photo

    An overview of the SMOS mission

    In this video, Klaus Scipal - Biomass and SMOS Mission Manager - talks about ESA's Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity mission.

  • News - Spotlight on EO community

    prompt photo

    Introducing the Biomass and SMOS Mission Manager

    In this video, Klaus Scipal describes his role as Mission Manager of Biomass and SMOS, and what he enjoys about his involvement with these dedicated science missions.

  • News - Success Stories

    prompt photo

    SMOS data reveal ecosystems' resistance to drought

    Climate change is rapidly altering the world’s ecosystems, causing extreme weather conditions, such as droughts, to become increasingly frequent. Understanding the factors that contribute to ecosystem resilience to extreme events is vital to develop more effective strategies for climate adaptation and mitigation.

  • News - Infographics

    prompt photo

    Key facts about SMOS Level-1 and Level-2 science data

    Learn about data products from the SMOS mission in our latest infographic.

  • News - Thematic area articles

    prompt photo

    Remote sensing data map impacts of natural hazards

    As climate change increases the frequency and severity of natural disasters, remote sensing data can warn about extreme events and help tackle emergency situations.