Harmony (satellite)
| Names |
|
|---|---|
| Mission type | Earth observing satellite |
| Operator | ESA |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 2029 (planned) |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Sun-synchronous |
 ESA insignia (2020s) | |
Harmony is a European Earth observing satellite mission projected to launch in 2029[1] or 2030.[2] The mission concept, belonging to the ESA's FutureEO programme, comprises two identical satellites that will fly in formation with a Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite.[3] Paco López-Dekker from the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands is the Lead Investigator of the mission.[1] Florence Hélière is the Project Manager.[4]
Objectives
Over land, the mission will measure small shifts in the shape of the land surface connected with volcanism and earthquakes; it will also study the dynamics of glaciers and ice sheets. Over the ocean, it will measure surface wind, waves, currents, as well as cloud movements and sea-surface temperature differences.[5]
Instruments
Both Harmony satellites will carry a receive-only synthetic aperture radar (intended to work together with Sentinel-1's radar) and a multibeam thermal-infrared instrument. Throughout the life of the mission, the Harmony satellites will be flying either in interferometric or in stereo configurations.[6]
History
In September 2018, Harmony (then named "Stereoid") was selected as one of three concepts to compete for the tenth Earth Explorer mission.[7] In February 2021, Harmony was chosen to be ESA's tenth Earth Explorer mission.[5] In March 2022, the mission concept was tested using two aircraft flying in formation over the Dutch Wadden Islands.[8]
In September 2022, ESA Member States formally selected Harmony for implementation.[1] In October 2024, ESA has awarded a contract (over €280 million) to OHB to build the satellites as prime contractor.[4] In November 2024, OHB has selected ABB to provide thermal infrared imaging instruments for the two satellites.[9]
In June 2025, ESA announced that the mission’s baseline launch vehicle was Vega C Block 2 (with P160C booster upgrade).[2] However, in May 2026, ESA was considering moving the launch to Ariane 62 and potentially early 2030.[2]
See also
Links
References
- 1 2 3 "ESA selects Harmony as tenth Earth Explorer mission". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- 1 2 3 Parsonson, Andrew (2026-05-04). "ESA Considers Shifting Harmony from Vega C to Ariane 6". European Spaceflight. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
- ↑ "Harmony A and B (Earth Explorer 10A and 10B) - eoPortal". www.eoportal.org. Archived from the original on 2024-10-10. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- 1 2 "Contract secures build for ESA's Harmony mission". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- 1 2 "ESA moves forward with Harmony". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ↑ "Harmony Earth Explorer 10 - Mission Phases".
- ↑ "Three Earth Explorer ideas selected". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ↑ "Harmony in the Wadden". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ↑ Boucher, Marc (2024-11-13). "ABB to Provide Thermal Infrared Sensors for ESA's Harmony Satellites". SpaceQ Media Inc. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
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