Living Planet Programme
Encyclopedia
The Living Planet Programme (LPP) is a programme within the European Space Agency
which is managed by the Earth Observation Programmes Directorate. LPP consists of two classes of Earth Observation missions (see list below) including research missions known as Earth Explorers, and the Earth Watch class of missions whose objective is to develop support operational applications such as numerical weather forecasting or resource management.
In addition the following candidate Earth Explorer missions are being prepared.
European Space Agency
The European Space Agency , established in 1975, is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space, currently with 18 member states...
which is managed by the Earth Observation Programmes Directorate. LPP consists of two classes of Earth Observation missions (see list below) including research missions known as Earth Explorers, and the Earth Watch class of missions whose objective is to develop support operational applications such as numerical weather forecasting or resource management.
Missions
Currently there are six approved Earth Explorer missions, three of which are in orbit and operating:- GOCEGravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation ExplorerThe Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer is an ESA satellite that was launched on March 17, 2009. It is a satellite carrying a highly sensitive gravity gradiometer which detects fine density differences in the crust and oceans of the Earth.GOCE data will have many uses,...
– Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer - was launched on March 17, 2009. - SMOSSoil Moisture and Ocean Salinity satelliteThe Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity Satellite is a part of ESA's Living Planet Programme intended to provide new insights into Earth's water cycle and climate...
– Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity satellite will study ocean salinity and soil moisture; it was launched in 2 November 2009. - CryoSatCryoSatCryoSat is an ESA programme which will monitor variations in the extent and thickness of polar ice through use of a satellite in low Earth orbit. The information provided about the behaviour of coastal glaciers that drain thinning ice sheets will be key to better predictions of future sea-level rise...
is designed to map the Earth's ice cover. CryoSat-1 was lost in 2005 when the Russian SS-19 "Rockot" malfunctioned and was terminated. CryoSat-2CryoSat-2CryoSat-2 is a European Space Agency environmental research satellite which was launched in April 2010. It provides scientists with data about the polar ice caps and tracks changes in the thickness of the ice with a resolution of about . This information is useful for monitoring climate change...
was launched 8 April 2010. - AeolusADM-AeolusADM-Aeolus, or, in full, Atmospheric Dynamics Mission Aeolus, is an ESA satellite that is due for launch in 2013.ADM-Aeolus will be the first equipment capable of performing global wind-component-profile observation and will provide much-needed information to improve weather forecasting.The Aeolus...
– Atmospheric Dynamics Mission will use an innovative laser to measure winds. Due for launch in 2011. - SwarmSwarm (ESA mission)Swarm is a European Space Agency mission to study the Earth's magnetic field.The Swarm concept consists of a constellation of three satellites in three different polar orbits between 450 and 550 km altitude...
– is a trio of satellites to map the Earth's magnetism. Due for launch in 2012 - EarthCAREEarthCAREEARTHCARE is a planned space mission by the European and Japanese space agencies. In May 2008 ESA signed a contract worth €263 million with EADS subsidiary Astrium. As the prime contractor, Astrium is responsible for the satellite’s design, development and integration...
– Earth Clouds Aerosols and Radiation Explorer will examine the formation and effects of clouds. Due for launch in 2013.
In addition the following candidate Earth Explorer missions are being prepared.
- 7th Earth Explorer mission was selected in January 2009 to be one of the following three down-selected candidates: BIOMASSBiomassBiomass, as a renewable energy source, is biological material from living, or recently living organisms. As an energy source, biomass can either be used directly, or converted into other energy products such as biofuel....
(global measurements of forest biomass), CoReH2O (snow, ice and water cycle key characteristics observations), or PREMIERPremierPremier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
(atmospheric processes linking trace gases, radiation, chemistry and climate). These three candidates were selected out of six candidates which were assessed with pre-feasibility studies. The six Mission Assessment Reports prepared for each of the Candidates for the downselection decision are available from the Mission Science DivisionMission Science DivisionThe Mission Science Division is a group of scientists, research fellows and young graduates working at the European Space Agency within the Science, Applications and Future Technologies Department of the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes...
. Earth Explorer 8 is currently scheduled to launch in the 2018 timeframe.
- 8th Earth Explorer mission was open to ideas from the scientific community. Proposals were reviewed and two candidates FLEX (satellite) and CarbonSat are currently undergoing feasibility study. Earth Explorer 8 is scheduled for launch in the 2019 timeframe.