USING NON-ESA MISSIONS TO PREPARE FOR ENVISAT

Earth observation from space, which started with experimental single-s tudy missions, is now moving towards a more mature era in which the gl obe is being studied as a complete system and where the need for measu rements goes well beyond the limits of a single type of observation, b oth spatially and temporally. This implies that satellite missions and the data they provide must henceforth be seen as an integrated system in which maximum synergy is assured. In preparing for the Envisat mis sion in particular, optimum re-use of experience accumulated through t he exploitation of its predecessor missions, including those of releva nt non-ESA satellites, is mandatory in order to take maximum advantage of Envisat's enhanced capabilities.