Swarm (spacecraft)

Swarm

Artist's view of the three Swarm spacecraft
Mission type	Earth's magnetic field observation
Operator	ESA
COSPAR ID	SWARM A: 2013-067B SWARM B: 2013-067A SWARM C: 2013-067C
SATCAT no.	SWARM A: 39452 SWARM B: 39451 SWARM C: 39453
Website	ESA Swarm homepage
Mission duration	4 years (planned) 10 years, 6 months, 7 days (elapsed)
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer	Astrium
Launch mass	468 kg
Dry mass	369 kg
Dimensions	9.1 m × 1.5 m × 0.85 m
Power	608 watts
Start of mission
Launch date	22 November 2013, 12:02:29 UTC
Rocket	Rokot/Briz-KM
Launch site	Plesetsk, Site 133/3
Contractor	Eurockot
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Polar orbit
Perigee altitude	Swarm A: ≤460 kilometres (290 mi) Swarm C: ≤460 kilometres (290 mi) Swarm B: ≤530 kilometres (330 mi)
Apogee altitude	Swarm A: ≤460 kilometres (290 mi) Swarm C: ≤460 kilometres (290 mi) Swarm B: ≤530 kilometres (330 mi)
Inclination	Swarm A: 87.4° Swarm C: 87.4° Swarm B: 88.0°
Mean motion	15
Transponders
Band	S Band
Frequency	2 GHz
Bandwidth	6Mbit/s download 4 kbit/s upload
Instruments
VFM: Vector Field Magnetometer ASM: Absolute Scalar Magnetometer EFI: Electric Field Instrument ACC: Accelerometer LRR: Laser Range Reflector
Living Planet Programme ← CryoSat-2 ADM-Aeolus →

Swarm is a European Space Agency (ESA) mission to study the Earth's magnetic field. High-precision and high-resolution measurements of the strength, direction and variations of the Earth's magnetic field, complemented by precise navigation, accelerometer and electric field measurements, will provide data for modelling the geomagnetic field and its interaction with other physical aspects of the Earth system. The results offer a view of the inside of the Earth from space, enabling the composition and processes of the interior to be studied in detail and increase our knowledge of atmospheric processes and ocean circulation patterns that affect climate and weather.