Developed through dedicated studies and over a year of extensive consultation with the Earth science community and key stakeholders, the new Science Strategy includes six major thematic objectives: the water cycle, the carbon cycle and chemistry, energy fluxes, ecosystem health, extremes and hazards, and interfaces and coupling in the Earth system.

These themes along with a comprehensive set of Guiding Questions provide a blueprint on where to focus future efforts in understanding our planet.

These questions, 23 in all, encapsulate critical Earth system science issues and knowledge gaps in which Earth observation satellite technology provides a unique contribution, by either leveraging existing or near-future data sources, or by developing new observations from space.

As well as overarching science themes identified during the study period, these questions provide a clear framework for the Science Strategy, which now pave the way for shaping future activities within ESA’s Earth Observation Programmes.

Simonetta Cheli added, “From our groundbreaking Earth Explorer research missions, which push the boundaries of observation technology to achieve scientific excellence, to our pivotal role in developing the Copernicus Sentinel satellites with the European Union, ESA continues to define the state-of-the-art for monitoring Earth’s evolving environment.

“The Science Strategy builds on these accomplishments, aiming to drive the next generation of satellite innovations essential for tackling the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

“With this strategy now in place, we are poised to advance Earth science even further, equipping policymakers, scientists, and societies with the data and insights needed to create a more sustainable and resilient future for all.”