ERS-1: Its Payload and Potential [and Discussion]

• Published in: Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A: Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences Vol. 312; no. 1519; p. 103
• Main Authors: Peter Anson, D. G. Stephenson
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Royal Society 26.07.1984
• ISSN: 1364-503X; 1471-2962
• DOI: 10.1098/rsta.1984.0054

European Remote Sensing Satellite Number 1 (ERS-1) is a truly international project promoted by the European Space Agency (E.S.A.) and involving 10 countries. The decisions about what should be the aims of the satellite have been reached as the result of lengthy discussions between E.S.A. and potential customers, and of course have also had to take into account the budgetary limitations imposed by the participating countries. The major objectives of ERS-1 are set out in the paper together with a very brief outline of the capabilities of the instruments required to meet these objectives. The paper concludes by suggesting areas in which there is a need for technological advance, which combined with concentrated marketing activity will ensure a commercial future for the remote sensing capability that will be demonstrated by ERS-1.