ESA advances three missions toward Earth Explorer 12
The European Space Agency advanced ECO, Keystone and CryoRad to the next preparatory phase for Earth Explorer 12. A fourth concept, Hydroterra+, did not advance after July’s review. One of the three is to be selected for implementation, with launch expected around 2036. The concepts target Earth’s energy imbalance, atomic oxygen high in the atmosphere and temperatures within polar ice.
Science··Midday
Three concepts advance to preparation
The European Space Agency, or ESA, advanced ECO, Keystone and CryoRad to the next preparatory stage for Earth Explorer 12, its proposed Earth-observation research satellite. Earth Explorers are ESA's series of research satellites that test new measurement techniques. Four proposals had undergone scrutiny at a user meeting in July. Hydroterra+ ranked fourth in the advisory committee’s order and did not advance in this round. The advisory committee ranked them ECO, Keystone, CryoRad and Hydroterra+.[1], [2]
The candidates target three Earth measurements
ECO would measure the gap between energy Earth receives and energy it sends back to space. Keystone proposes observations of atomic oxygen in the atmosphere roughly 50 to 250 kilometres above Earth. CryoRad would examine temperatures inside polar ice sheets. These are separate mission concepts competing for one slot, rather than three instruments on one satellite. ESA’s announcement leaves the final choice open.[1]
The final choice precedes a ministerial meeting
ESA says it will choose one of the three for implementation as Earth Explorer 12 before its next ministerial council. The selected mission is expected to launch around 2036. The candidates now enter another development phase. Simonetta Cheli, ESA’s director of Earth Observation Programmes, said all four teams completed substantial scientific cases.[1]
