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ERS-2

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description ERS-2 Overview

ERS-2 (European Remote-Sensing Satellite 2) was an Earth observation satellite operated by the European Space Agency. Launched in 1995, it built upon the capabilities of its predecessor by introducing the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment, an instrument designed to measure global stratospheric ozone levels. The satellite utilized a synthetic aperture radar and radar altimeter to monitor ocean surface temperatures, wind patterns, and polar ice coverage. ERS-2 functioned for over 16 years before being permanently deactivated in 2011, concluding a mission that provided foundational data for modern climate studies.

help ERS-2 FAQ

What did ERS-2 measure from orbit?

ERS-2 carried synthetic-aperture radar, a radar altimeter and instruments for measuring sea-surface temperature and ocean winds. Its Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment, known as GOME, added atmospheric ozone observations beyond ERS-1's capabilities.

How was ERS-2 different from ERS-1?

ERS-2 largely repeated the successful Earth-observation package flown on ERS-1, allowing tandem measurements after its 1995 launch. Its major addition was GOME, which measured ozone and other atmospheric trace gases using ultraviolet and visible light.

How long did the ERS-2 mission operate?

ESA launched ERS-2 aboard an Ariane 4 on April 21, 1995, and ended science operations in 2011. The satellite therefore returned Earth-observation data for about 16 years.

What happened to ERS-2 after the mission ended?

Controllers lowered its orbit and depleted its remaining fuel in 2011 to reduce the long-term debris risk. Natural orbital decay eventually brought ERS-2 back into the atmosphere over the Pacific in February 2024, where most of it burned up.

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