ERS-1/2 and its data used in operational systems

The European Space Agency ERS (European Remote Sensing) mission consists of two satellites, ERS-I launched in July 1991 and ERS-2 launched in April 1995 year. The satellites were designed to increase our scientific understanding of coastal zones, global ocean processes and polar regions and to develop economic and commercial applications. Based on an improved knowledge of ocean parameters and sea-state conditions, surveillance and planning of coastal and marine activities world-wide was defined as a primary target for applications development. This article describes the arrangement that have been made for developing various observational and commercial programmes and projects.