Earth observation and science satellite critical infrastructure developed by Airbus Defence and Space for climate change monitoring and weather forecasting
- Paper number
GLOC-2023,T,IP,x75063
- Author
Mr. Faris Ustamujic, Airbus Defence and Space (DS), Germany
- Year
2023
- Abstract
Since the launch of its first Earth observation satellite in 1986, Airbus has successfully built and delivered such satellite systems, offering key services for environmental and climate change monitoring and weather forecasting. This is complimented by substantial expertise in ground segment infrastructure, technology and operations as well as data management and imagery exploitation for the ongoing missions, such as Cryosat-2, MetOp, Biomass, EarthCARE, Aeolus, GRACE-FO and Copernicus. Ever since 2010, the ESA´s CryoSat-2 satellite, built by Airbus, has been delivering a wealth of information about the Earth's changing ice cover and thickness. It has also made remarkable contributions to our understanding of the cryosphere and its effect on our climate. Furthermore into the polar climate observation, Airbus developed for ESA the MetOp series of polar-orbiting weather satellites, which also monitor the ozone layer in the stratosphere. For the vital topic of understanding cycling of carbon on Earth and the influence this has on the planet's climate, Airbus has been developing and building Biomass, the ESA´s global forest-carbon-monitoring satellite. It measures the amount of carbon stored in the world's forests and monitors for any changes. This provides vital information enabling better decision making on tackling climate change. Airbus is also developing ESA's EarthCARE (Cloud-Aerosol-Radiation-Explorer) mission, the largest and most complex Earth Explorer to date, which will advance our understanding of the role that clouds and aerosols play in climate development. From carbon to wind, ESA's Airbus-built Aeolus is the first satellite mission to acquire profiles of Earth’s wind on a global scale. It provides understanding on how wind, pressure, temperature and humidity are interconnected – enhancing climate research and weather forecasting. Airbus also plays a crucial role in constructing the Copernicus Program Sentinel satellites and their instruments with missions covering land, ocean and atmospheric monitoring. GRACE-FO’s two satellites developed and built by Airbus, measure and update Earth’s gravitational field model every 30 days. This information is fueled into the IPCC report proving climate change. With Pléiades Neo, Airbus culminates its system-competences in Earth Observation (radar, optics, antennas and services) in its own very-high-resolution Earth observation constellation. These four satellites will offer enhanced performance and the highest reactivity in the market. The constellation will also utilize the data relay communication system known as the Space-Data-Highway, streaming images into the Airbus OneAtlas online platform, which provides customers with immediate data access and analytics. Future system capability advancements in Earth Observation will be presented.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
GLOC-2023,T,IP,x75063.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.