Satellites launched by ESA to study climate change and test devices

The Russian rocket was successfully launched on Monday from the Russian military spacedrome of Plesetsk carrying SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) and Proba-2 satellites, a Russian space official said.

While the £282 million SMOS satellite has been programmed to collect radio signals emitted by water cells on the Earth's surface, allowing it to determine changes in the water cycle due to global warming and other climate changes, Proba-2 satellite will test technologically advanced equipments such as a new type of lithium-ion battery, an advanced data and power management system, a dual-frequency GPS space receiver, an experimental solar panel, an exploration micro-camera in real spaceflight conditions.

Both the satellites will be orbiting the earth from a distance of over 700 km above the Earth's surface.

"We are extremely pleased with this double 'lucky strike' that will provide Europe with new tools to better understand our planet and climate change, as well as new technology breakthroughs that will enhance the competitiveness of European industry on the world-wide market, thus contributing to the global economy," said Jean-Jacques Dordain, director general, ESA.

While Proba-2 satellite will become operational in two months' time, SMOS satellite will take longer to become fully commissioned, ESA officials said.