“We are very pleased to add two new Scouts to our Earth observation mission portfolio. These small science missions perfectly complement our more traditional existing and future Earth Explorer missions, and will bring exciting benefits to Earth science and to society,” said Simonetta Cheli, ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes. 

The projected cost of this mission is €35 million, with development expected to be completed over the next three years.

NanoMagSat to measure magnetic field

NanoMagSat will be used to measure the magnetic field and identify space weather dangers. In addition, the satellite will collect data on the ionospheric environment.

The ionosphere is an upper layer of the Earth’s atmosphere, where there is a high concentration of ions and free electrons as a result of solar ultraviolet radiation absorption.

The Earth’s magnetic field and electric currents play crucial roles in shaping the forces that impact our daily lives. These phenomena have far-reaching effects on various aspects of our environment and technology.

“Overall, NanoMagSat will allow for a much-improved understanding of the dynamics of the magnetic field and of the role of the Sun in the coupled atmospheric–ionospheric–magnetospheric system,” the press release added. 

It highlights that the data supplied by this satellite will play a crucial role in precise navigation, serving as reference models for smartphones, aiding directional drilling, and contributing to the World Magnetic Model.

The mission will entail the deployment of three 16U satellites, with each being launched at intervals of nine months. Each of these satellites is expected to weigh around 24 kg. 

The satellites will carry a variety of payloads, including a small magnetometer, a Langmuir probe, and two GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers. 

These scientific instruments collectively aim to gather comprehensive data on magnetic fields, electron characteristics, and satellite positioning, thereby, contributing to a deeper understanding of Earth’s magnetosphere and related phenomena.

Greenhouse gas emissions from large sites

The Tango mission will monitor three greenhouse gases released by major industrial sites: methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. 

The satellite will support the upcoming Copernicus Carbon Dioxide Monitoring mission, the Sentinel-5 mission, and the current Sentinel-5P mission.

“Tango will monitor 150–300 known large industrial facilities and power plants every four days,” mentioned the press release. 

The satellite will be designed to provide high-resolution images of emission plumes and adjacent pollution. Moreover, it will be able to offer precise data to determine emissions in a single observation. 

The mission will consist of two 25-kg satellites orbiting in tandem, with one specialized in measuring methane and carbon dioxide, and the other dedicated to measuring nitrogen dioxide.

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