What is Envisat?
Envisat was ESA's successor to ERS. Envisat was launched in 2002 with 10 instruments aboard and at eight tons is the largest civilian Earth observation mission. More advanced imaging radar, radar altimeter and temperature-measuring radiometer instruments extend ERS data sets. This was supplemented by new instruments including a medium-resolution spectrometer sensitive to both land features and ocean colour. Envisat also carried two atmospheric sensors monitoring trace gases. The Envisat mission ended on 08 April 2012, following the unexpected loss of contact with the satellite. (See related news from 09 May 2012)
Latest Mission Operations News
OADS - OTF maintenance on 28 August 201827 August 2018Due to a scheduled maintenance, access to the ESAR OADS-OTF instance providing access to the ERS and Envisat (A)SAR data will be unavailable for 3 hours, on Tuesday 28 August 2018, starting from 10:00 CEST. OADS - OTF maintenance on 21 August 201820 August 2018Due to a scheduled maintenance, access to the ESAR OADS-OTF instance providing access to the ERS and Envisat (A)SAR data will be unavailable for 60/90 minutes, on 21 August 2018, starting from 10:00 CEST. OTF planned maintenance – 19 July 201818 July 2018Due to a scheduled maintenance, access to the On-The-Fly (OTF) Online Dissemination System (OADS) for the ERS and Envisat (A)SAR data will be unavailable during the following time frame:
Latest Mission Results News
Satellites track Antarctic ice loss over decades02 May 2017Over two decades of observations by five radar satellites show the acceleration of ice loss of 30 glaciers in Western Palmer Land in the southwest Antarctic Peninsula. Satellites track variations in Antarctica's glacial retreat12 December 2016Five satellites spanning two decades have revealed variations in the timing and pace of glacial retreat in West Antarctica. Some glaciers' thinning spreads up to three times faster than on neighbouring tributaries, and was offset by decades. Since the launch of the first Earth-observing satellites in the 1970s, numerous missions from international space organisations have taken to the sky. Today, decades of data are helping scientists to build a better picture of changes to our planet. Methane and carbon dioxide on the rise13 May 2016Satellite readings show that atmospheric methane and carbon dioxide are continuing to increase despite global efforts to reduce emissions. Antarctic ice safety band at risk08 February 2016Antarctica is surrounded by huge ice shelves. New research, using ice velocity data from satellites such as ESA's heritage Envisat, has revealed that there is a critical point where these shelves act as a safety band, holding back the ice that flows towards the sea. If lost, it could be the point of no return. |
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