Our magnetic field plays a major
role in protecting the biosphere because it generates a bubble around
our planet that deflects charged
particles and traps them in the radiation belts. This shielding protects all
life on Earth from the bombardment
of heavy ions coming from the Sun
and deep space.
Since the 1980s, previous missions have showed this field to be
weakening, which could be a sign
that the north and south magnetic
poles are beginning to reverse –
known to have occurred on multiple occasions during geological
times.
Although such inversions usually
take thousands years to complete,
a further weakening of our magnetic protection could lead to an
increase in events that damage our
orbiting satellites or disrupt power
grids and other electrical systems
on the ground.
About the European
Space Agency
The European Space Agency
(ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space.
It is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of
Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe
and the world.
ESA has 20 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United
The ESA’s three identical Swarm satellites were launched together. Two satellites orbit
almost side-by-side at the same altitude. The third satellite is in a higher orbit and at a
Image: ESA/P. Carril
slightly different inclination.
Kingdom, of whom 18 are Member
States of the EU.
ESA has Cooperation Agreements with eight other Member
States of the EU. Canada takes part
in some ESA programmes under a
Cooperation Agreement.
ESA is also working with the EU on
implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes.
By coordinating the financial
and intellectual resources of its
members, ESA can undertake pro-
grammes and activities far beyond
the scope of any single European
country.
ESA develops the launchers,
spacecraft and ground facilities
needed to keep Europe at the forefront of global space activities.
Today, it launches satellites for
Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications and astronomy,
sends probes to the far reaches of
the Solar System and cooperates in
the human exploration of space.
Annotated side view of
the Swarm spacecraft.
Image: ESA/AOES Medialab
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