Control and navigation aspects of the new Earth observation missions of the European Space Agency

Several new space missions are under development within ESA's Earth Observation (EO) programmes. By 2009 the following satellites will be launched: Cryosat (ice altimetry); GOCE (Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer); SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity); Aeolus (atmospheric winds); Swarm (magnetic field). Other prepared projects include the SPECTRA (Surface Processes and Ecosystem Changes Through Response Analysis) mission. These missions are briefly reviewed, emphasizing control/navigation aspects when instrumental to the novel EO data. Two representative examples, GOCE and SPECTRA, are described in more detail. Relevant sensor and actuator technology aspects are also outlined.