Emerging technologies in the ESA science and earth observation programme

Several missions of the ESA Science and Earth Observation Programmes rely on three key technologies: interferometry, micro-propulsion and formation flying. Satellite-to-satellite laser interferometry allows detecting very small distance variations over very long baselines so as to detect gravity anomalies. Interferometry of the same light beams collected by a telescope formation may detect exoplanets close to a star. To this end, satellite formation geometry and alignment must be very accurate and must fly in permanent free fall, i.e. drag-free, only subject to gravity, which requires low-noise micro-propulsion. In this paper, key missions like DARWIN, LISA and a post-GOCE mission concept will be briefly reviewed emphasizing requirements and corresponding interferometry and drag-free technologies.