Envisat

Envisat was ESA's successor to ERS. Envisat was launched in 2002 with 10 instruments aboard and at eight tons is the largest civilian Earth observation mission. More advanced imaging radar, radar altimeter and temperature-measuring radiometer instruments extend ERS data sets. This was supplemented by new instruments including a medium-resolution spectrometer sensitive to both land features and ocean colour. Envisat also carried two atmospheric sensors monitoring trace gases. The Envisat mission ended on 08 April 2012, following the unexpected loss of contact with the satellite.