HydroGNSS

Last updated

HydroGNSS
FutureEO ESA23861197 (HydroGNSS cropped).jpeg
Mission type Earth observation satellite
Operator ESA
Website hydrognss.org
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer Surrey Satellite Technology
Start of mission
Launch dateQ4 2025 (planned)
Rocket Falcon 9
←  Biomass
FLEX  →
Remote sensing system using GNSS reflectometry GNSS-R system diagram.svg
Remote sensing system using GNSS reflectometry

HydroGNSS (Hydrological Global Navigation Satellite System) is a future Earth observation satellite mission by the European Space Agency (ESA) consisting of two identical small satellites carrying GNSS reflectometry instruments. The mission will use satellite navigation signals reflected from the Earth surface to monitor various Essential Climate Variables related to the hydrological cycle. Its launch is planned for late 2025. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Contents

Background

The project builds upon previous GNSS reflectometry satellite missions—the CYGNSS constellation by NASA and the TechDemoSAT-1 demonstrator by ESA and UKSA. Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., the prime contractor for HydroGNSS, was involved in both these missions. [9] HydroGNSS is launching as the first mission of ESA's Scout series of missions, within the FutureEO programme, although it bears the designation Scout-2. [2] That is because the Scout-1 mission CubeMAP was cancelled before its launch due to budgetary constraints. [10] [11]

Project history

In March 2021, ESA has decided to implement HydroGNSS as the second of its new Scout series of missions within the FutureEO programme. [12] In October 2021, ESA has signed a contract with Surrey Satellite Technology to build the mission. [13] [14] In March 2023, ESA has decided to build two HydroGNSS satellites instead of just one. [15] [16] In August 2025, the two satellites have passed their Flight Acceptance Review. [17] In September 2025, the two satellites have been transported to California for launch on Falcon 9 later that year. [18] [9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gutierrez, Peter (2025-01-20). "GNSS Reflectometry Project HydroGNSS to Launch in 2025". Inside GNSS - Global Navigation Satellite Systems Engineering, Policy, and Design. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  2. 1 2 "HydroGNSS/Scout-2 - eoPortal". www.eoportal.org. Archived from the original on 2025-08-23. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  3. ↑ "About HydroGNSS".
  4. ↑ "HydroGNSS (Earth Scout 2)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  5. ↑ "HydroGNSS | Small Satellite supplier | Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd | SSTL". www.sstl.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  6. ↑ Unwin, Martin J.; Pierdicca, Nazzareno; Cardellach, Estel; Rautiainen, Kimmo; Foti, Giuseppe; Blunt, Paul; Guerriero, Leila; Santi, Emanuele; Tossaint, Michel (2021). "An Introduction to the HydroGNSS GNSS Reflectometry Remote Sensing Mission". IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing. 14: 6987–6999. doi:10.1109/JSTARS.2021.3089550. ISSN   1939-1404.
  7. ↑ admin (2024-06-20). "HydroGNSS – two small satellites measuring soil moisture over the globe - Space4Climate" . Retrieved 2025-09-30.
  8. ↑ "UK and ESA-funded climate mission HydroGNSS showcased to international space experts – Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation". ceoi.ac.uk. Retrieved 2025-09-30.
  9. 1 2 "HydroGNSS: ESA's first Scout begins launch preparations". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
  10. ↑ "GomSpace and ESA cancel next phase of climate observation mission". Space Daily. Retrieved 2025-09-30.
  11. ↑ "CubeMAP mission development halted". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2025-09-30.
  12. ↑ "Second Scout gets the go-ahead". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
  13. ↑ "Contract secures build for HydroGNSS Scout mission".
  14. ↑ "Contract secures build for HydroGNSS Scout mission". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
  15. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2023-03-22). "ESA HydroGNSS Earth Observation Mission Doubles in Size". European Spaceflight. Retrieved 2025-09-30.
  16. ↑ "HydroGNSS twice as good". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
  17. ↑ "HydroGNSS passes Flight Acceptance Review". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
  18. ↑ Harrison, Kerry (2025-09-30). "Europe's HydroGNSS Mission Arrives In California For Launch". Orbital Today. Retrieved 2025-09-30.
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