The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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At 14 metres high – as high as a four-floor building – the Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer (CIMR) satellite is large. The reflector alone is eight metres wide when it unfolds after launch. The satellite features a particular platform that carries, powers and manages the rotating microwave radiometer that is at the top and which transfers the scientific data to Earth. It is equipped with a scanner that allows the 700 kg microwave radiometer instrument to rotate at 7.8 rpm. Once in orbit, the satellite deploys its reflector, which measures eight metres in diameter. The whole satellite weighs 2000 kg.
CIMR is designed to measure sea-ice concentration, sea-surface temperature, sea-surface salinity, and more.