ESA's ENVIronmental monitoring SATellite (ENVISAT) was successfully launched on 1st March 2002. It carried the AATSR instrument - the third in the Along Track Scanning Radiometer (ATSR) series - which has produced a 15 year data set. AATSR monitored global sea surface temperatures (SST) to an accuracy of 0.3ºC for climate study purposes.
RAL Space provided subsystems and laboratory calibration and also the reference data processing system. MIPAS, an infrared spectrometer, measured pressure, temperature and trace gases such as ozone from 6km to 70km in the atmosphere. We provided the low vibration cooler electronics and were also involved with the development of new atmospheric data products from AATSR, SCIAMACHY and MIPAS for the wider benefit of the research community.
The Envisat mission ended on 08 April 2012, following the unexpected loss of contact with the satellite.
RAL Space Involvement Advanced Along Track Scanning Radiometer (AATSR) and Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) instruments.
SubjectEarth Observation
Main ObjectivesTo support the monitoring and studying of Earth's environment and climate changes.
Launch Date1 March 2002
Further Project Information For more information please contact: RAL Space Enquiries
