European Space Agency launches two climate observation satellites

The European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully placed two new satellites into low‑Earth orbit, expanding its portfolio of climate‑monitoring assets. Launched aboard a Vega‑C rocket from the Guiana Space Centre, the twin spacecraft are designed to deliver high‑resolution data on the planet’s changing environment, reinforcing ESA’s long‑term commitment to Earth observation and supporting international efforts to track the effects of global warming.

One of the satellites, equipped with a multispectral imaging payload, will concentrate on terrestrial vegetation, measuring parameters such as leaf area index, chlorophyll concentration and phenological cycles to assess how plant ecosystems respond to temperature shifts, drought and other stressors. The companion satellite carries a suite of atmospheric sensors that will monitor greenhouse‑gas concentrations, aerosol levels and sea‑surface temperature. Together, the missions aim to provide near‑real‑time datasets that can improve climate models, inform policy decisions and aid scientists in evaluating mitigation strategies. The ESA expects the satellites to become fully operational within six months, delivering a continuous stream of observations that will enhance understanding of climate dynamics for years to come.