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HydroGNSS
European Earth observation satellite mission From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] It is scheduled to launch on 26 November 2025 from Vandenberg Space Force Base on the SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter 15 rideshare mission.[9][10][11][12]
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Objectives
HydroGNSS is designed to deliver data on four hydrological parameters aligned with Essential Climate Variables:[12]
- soil moisture
- inundation or wetlands
- freeze/thaw state
- above-ground biomass
The mission's secondary objectives are to measure wind speed over the ocean and sea-ice extent.[12]
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.[13]
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.[14][15] ESA requires each Scout mission to move to launch within three years after kick-off and with a budget under €35 million.[10]
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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.[16] In October 2021, ESA has signed a contract with Surrey Satellite Technology to build the mission.[17][18] In March 2023, ESA has decided to build two HydroGNSS satellites instead of just one.[19][20]
In August 2025, the two satellites have passed their Flight Acceptance Review.[21] In September 2025, the two satellites have been transported to California for launch on Falcon 9 later that year.[22][13] After testing, propellant loading, battery charging, and launch adapter integration, the two spacecraft were pronounced ready for launch by ESA in November 2025.[10]
See also
References
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