ENVISAT SATELLITE SOON IN ORBIT.

• Position: Technology Information

Envisat, the new earth observation satellite of the European Space Agency (ESA), has arrived in Kourou, French Guiana, where the engineers are preparing it for its autumn launch. The satellite is essential in ESA's earth observation strategy. At 800 kilometres from the earth, Envisat will monitor for five years, vital environmental processes such as changes in oceanic currents, icecaps, coastal erosion and atmospheric pollution. The instruments on board Envisat incorporate either new refinements or major improvements compared to those found on board ERS-1 and ERS-2, the pioneer earth observation satellites of the nineties. These numerous instruments will also be essential for putting in place...