MONITORING THE EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENT

摘要

Although not one of those names that readily trips off the tongue, the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) is potentially one of the brightest stars in the European galaxy when it comes to integrating several space applications. It is a precious jewel in ESA's crown and is much unsung as a world pioneer. It achieves that status by combining both in ground segment and satellite design, a multiplicity of tasks and functional responsibilities. It is a long time since Ford Aerospace sold India a complex multi-functional satellite purportedly combining communications, broadcasting and remote sensing capabilities. Known as Insat 1A, it was launched exactly 30 years ago and promptly failed. Technologically ahead of its time, Insat 1A was, nevertheless, a portent of multifunctional satellites that today have the capacity to integrate separate objectives for diverse users.