****************************************************************************** DORISMail 27-Feb-2002 01:32:22 Message No 0169 ****************************************************************************** Author: Tavernier Gilles Subject: ENVISAT Launch/ March 1, 2002 Envisat, European Earth observation satellite, will be launched from Kourou (Guyane) the 1st of March at 01h07 UT (02 h 07 French time; 28 February, 22h07 local time) by an Ariane 5 rocket. ERS-1 and 2 follow-on, it is devoted to environmental studies, in particular climate change. Built by Esa, Envisat will carry ten complementary instruments to observe parameters ranging from the marine geoid to high-resolution gaseous emissions, among which a radar altimeter, and the orbitography and precise location system Doris. Integrated in the new international climate study and operational oceanography programmes, such as Goos and Godae/Mercator, in combination with Jason-1, Envisat will able to obtain the broadest and most accurate picture possible of the ocean and climate, and assimilated in ocean and climate prediction Altimetric and orbitography data from Envisat will be processed in part by the same ground system than Jason-1, Ssalto (Diode real-time orbit, medium orbit, precise orbit; 1B level data processing in near-real time anddelayed geophysical data) More info: http://www.esa.int/envisat/ Like Jason 1 launched December 7, 2001, Envisat will carry a second generation Doris receiver whose main features are: - dual-channel allowing to perform simultaneous measurements with two stations - precise on-board orbit determination with the DIODE navigator - improved accuracy SPOT 5, the third satellite fitted out with a second generation DORIS receiver, should be launched on 11th of April (TBC, according to Arianespace manifest). Gilles TAVERNIER _____________________________________________________ CNES DSO/ED/AL/MA - Bpi 2002 Phone : 33 - (0)5 61 27 37 76 18, avenue Edouard Belin Fax : 33 - (0)5 61 28 25 95 31 401 TOULOUSE CEDEX 4 Email : Gilles.Tavernier@cnes.fr _____________________________________________________ [ Part 2: "Attached Text" ] Please do not reply directly to this message, but send comments and suggestions to IDS.central.bureau@cls.fr