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2\28 ESA - Envisat celebrates first anniversary in space
Part 2 of 2

Sensor synergy
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The combination of data from various Envisat sensors also is allowing
scientists to gain new insights into natural phenomena that were
difficult to obtain previously. Data from three Envisat sensors -
radar altimeter, microwave radiometer, and the DORIS tracking
instrument - have been combined to produce a global chart of the
current El Niņo that is affecting weather patterns in many parts of
the world. 

The combination of sensor data also allows scientists a simultaneous
look at different parts of events taking place below the satellite. A
combined ASAR/MERIS image of Hurricane Isidore that passed through the 
Gulf of Mexico in September afforded a rare opportunity for
researchers to view, literally, the top and bottom of a hurricane for
a clearer understanding of the principle dynamics of this type of
storm. A similar merged image of a weather front off the Italian coast 
allowed the clouds patterns observed by the MERIS instrument to be 
correlated with the front's structure captured in a simultaneous ASAR 
radar image. 

The synergies among the Envisat sensors and their potential to unlock
further secrets of our world have only begun to be explored. As ESA
commemorates the first anniversary of Envisat's launch, however, it is 
evident that the spacecraft's suite of sensors offers both exciting 
research possibilities and practical contributions to solving our most 
pressing human problems. 


Political impact in Johannesburg
--------------------------------
The first year of Envisat was also the year of the World Summit on
Sustainable Development (WSSD), held in late August and early
September in Johannesburg. As the cornerstone of ESA's Earth
observation programme, Envisat played a key role in creating a greater 
awareness among world leaders that information from space-based 
sensors is vital to the success of global initiatives for sustainable 
development.

"There can be no sustainable development without adequate information
about the state of the Earth and its environment," ESA's Achache told
WSSD delegates during his plenary address. 

After the meeting, the ESA executive noted that WSSD's 54-page Plan of 
Implementation contains more than 10 specific references to Earth
observation, clearly demonstrating that the Summit recognised the
importance of space technology for sustainable development. 


A look ahead
------------
One year ago, Envisat was launched with the promise of providing the
European space programme with another highly capable, advanced space
platform. Since then, all Envisat instruments have been verified, some 
obstacles have been overcome, and the years of effort needed to
design, build, launch and, finally, verify normal operations have
started to show substantial returns.

Today, the satellite stands at the threshold of a new phase - the
routine delivery of Earth observation information. This will give
scientists a better understanding of fundamental Earth processes,
offer political leaders and other decision-makers another set of tools 
for addressing critically important social and economic issues, and 
give us all profound, new insights into the world around us. 

That will certainly keep Envisat one of the brightest stars in the
European skies for years to come. 

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