Envisat, also known as Environmental Satellite, is a polar-orbiting Earth observation satellite launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2002. It was one of the most advanced and largest Earth observation satellites ever built, designed to monitor and study various aspects of the Earth's environment, climate, and natural resources.
With a weight of approximately 8 tons, Envisat was equipped with a diverse range of instruments and sensors that allowed it to collect data on the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, ice caps, land surfaces, and vegetation. These instruments included radar altimeters, spectrometers, radiometers, and synthetic aperture radars, amongst others.
The primary goal of Envisat was to provide accurate and long-term information on climate change, natural disasters, and environmental hazards, with the aim of supporting environmental monitoring and policies worldwide. It played a significant role in studying phenomena such as sea level rise, greenhouse gases, ozone depletion, deforestation, and ocean currents.
Envisat operated for over a decade, providing an immense volume of data that facilitated numerous scientific discoveries and advancements in understanding our planet. However, in 2012, contact with the satellite was lost, and it officially ceased operations in 2013.
Despite its retirement, Envisat remains a landmark mission in Earth observation, contributing substantially to our knowledge of the environment and paving the way for subsequent satellite missions like the Sentinel series under the ESA's Copernicus program.
