ERS-1

ERS-1 (European Remote Sensing satellite) was put into orbit by Ariane in July 1991.

Since then, day and night and even through the densest clouds, it has been using its three instruments to survey the structure of our planet's surface, acquiring radar images that reveal the smallest details and monitoring changes.

ERS-1 watches shorelines, ocean currents and the sea surface, monitors the growth of crops and vegetation, surveys and maps the polar icecaps and drift-ice and detects oil spills. No other satellite can compete with its capabilities in this respect. ERS-1 is making an important contribution to the study of our environment and of climate change.