The ERS Satellites

Introduction

The First and Second European Remote-Sensing Satellites (ERS-1 and ERS-2) are developed by the European Space Agency as a family of multi-disciplinary Earth Observation Satellites. They orbit the Earth in about 100 minutes and in 35 days have covered nearly every corner of the globe at least once. Both satellites are still in good health and provide a wealth of observations through their excellent suite of instruments.

Orbit Determination

Since early after launch of ERS-1 (July 1991), DEOS has been processing its tracking data for orbit determination. Nowadays, ERS-1 and ERS-2 orbits determination at DEOS is a full operational activity. But still we strive to improve the precision of the orbit determination up to its limits and provide precise ERS-1 and ERS-2 orbits freely to the entire ERS user community.

Altimetry

A strong pilar in the research conducted at DEOS is that of satellite radar altimetry. It's therefore not strange that DEOS has been involved in the calibration and processing of ERS-1 and ERS-2 altimeter data from the very start. On our web pages you can find various applications of ERS altimeter data for oceanography (monitoring El Niño), geophysics (marine gravity), and orbit determination.

Related issues

ERS-2
	ERS-2 information Information, pictures, more links.
	Monitoring El Niño by ERS-1 and -2 (HOT) Weekly updates and animations of the status of El Niño monitored by ERS altimetry.
	ERS-2 Precise Orbit Determination (updated) A gentle description of the way to determine the most precise orbits for ERS-2 available for the May 1995 - November 1997 and how to download them.
	Satellite Laser Ranging for ERS-2 Satellite Laser Ranging statistics for the latest ERS-2 precise orbits.
	Current Velocities of the Gulf Stream Near-realtime monitoring of the current system of the Gulf Stream with ERS-2 fast delivery altimeter data and DUT operational orbits.

ERS-1
	ERS-1 information Information, pictures, more links.
	Monitoring El Niño by ERS-1 and -2 (HOT) Weekly updates and animations of the status of El Niño monitored by ERS altimetry.
	ERS Precise Orbit Determination A gentle description of the way to determine the most precise orbits for ERS-1 available for almost 4 years and how to download them.
	Satellite Laser Ranging for ERS-1 Satellite Laser Ranging statistics for the latest ERS-1 precise orbits.
	ERS-1 Operational Orbit Determination A full description of the ERS-1 operational orbit determination.
	The Altimetry Atlas Mean sea surface and gravity field determination from satellite altimetry.

Maintenance:
Remko Scharroo
(remko.scharroo@lr.tudelft.nl)