Earth Observation in Europe is claimed as the world's foremost, but what exactly does that entail?

Europe Takes a Leap Forward in Earth Observation with Successful Ariane 6 Launch

Europe has made a significant stride in its quest to become a leading player in Earth observation, as the Ariane 6 rocket successfully launched from the Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on Tuesday. The mission carried a new weather and climate satellite, Sentinel-5A, into orbit.

Sentinel-5A is a cutting-edge imaging spectrometer designed to deliver high-quality data for forecasting extreme weather, tracking greenhouse gas emissions, and monitoring ocean temperatures. Its advanced atmospheric monitoring capabilities make it a crucial addition to Europe's Earth observation arsenal.

The success of the Ariane 6 launch signifies a shift away from dependence on outside players, such as SpaceX, for launching Europe's satellites. For years, Europe has relied on Russia's Soyuz rockets and, more recently, SpaceX for its satellite launches. However, with Russia's Soyuz rockets no longer an option, Europe has become increasingly reliant on SpaceX. The Ariane 6 launch marks a significant step in Europe's independent path to space.

Sentinel-5A, operated by the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), will play a pivotal role in tracking air quality and emissions worldwide. This data will support EU policies like the Methane Strategy and Air Quality Directive.

Extreme weather has cost Europe hundreds of billions of euros and tens of thousands of lives over the past 40 years. By combining world-class satellite technology with independent launch capacity, Europe aims to improve its weather forecasting and climate monitoring capabilities, ultimately saving lives and reducing economic losses.

The Ariane 6 rocket, developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and ArianeGroup, is a key solution to Europe's independent launch capacity issue. Over a decade in the making, the Ariane 6 is a testament to Europe's commitment to advancing its space technology and capabilities.

The new Sentinel satellite will contribute significantly to Europe's positioning as a leader in both the science and infrastructure of Earth observation. With its ability to measure key atmospheric components such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, methane, and aerosols, Sentinel-5A will provide critical data for understanding air quality, climate change, and ozone layer health.

Moreover, the data from Sentinel-5A can help scientists see changes in the environment with great precision, including measuring Arctic ice melt and mapping deforestation. This information is essential for informing environmental and public health decisions.

Phil Evans, Director-General of EUMETSAT, highlighted the importance of the Ariane 6 launch, stating that it is a "major step forward in giving national weather services sharper tools to save lives, protect property, and build resilience against the climate crisis."

In summary, the successful launch of the Ariane 6 rocket carrying the Sentinel-5A satellite marks a major milestone in advancing Europe’s environmental monitoring capabilities and ensuring the continent’s strategic space access for critical Earth observation infrastructure. This development is expected to significantly improve weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and environmental decision-making, ultimately benefiting the lives and well-being of millions across Europe and beyond.

[1] ESA. (2022, June 17). Ariane 6 launch with Sentinel-5A and Metop-SG. European Space Agency. https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Ariane_6_launch_with_Sentinel-5A_and_Metop-SG

[2] ESA. (n.d.). Sentinel-5P. European Space Agency. https://sentinel.esa.int/web/sentinel/missions/sentinel-5p

[3] EUMETSAT. (2022, June 17). Sentinel-5P. EUMETSAT. https://www.eumetsat.int/website/home/Missions/Sentinels/Sentinel-5P.html

[4] EUMETSAT. (2022, June 17). Sentinel-5P Data. EUMETSAT. https://www.eumetsat.int/website/home/Missions/Sentinels/Sentinel-5P/Data.html

[5] ESA. (2022, June 17). Sentinel-5P. European Space Agency. https://sentinel.esa.int/web/sentinel/missions/sentinel-5p

Earth Observation in Europe is claimed as the world's foremost, but what exactly does that entail?