ENVISAT (ENVIronmental SATellite)-1 is the successor to the ESA Remote Sensing Satellites ERS-1 and ERS-2. It provides continuity with most of the ERS-1/2 measurements and adds significant new capabilities. With a 5-year operational life, the mission will support the provision of long term data sets which are essential for both operational application of spaceborne remote sensing systems and climatological and environmental research.

Satellite laser ranging data to ENVISAT is combined with DORIS data and used for Precision Orbit Determination (POD), which is required to calibrate the on-board altimeter. The altimeter data is used to determine ocean surface heights, which in turn, is used to monitor global ocean circulation, regional ocean current systems, and to study the marine gravity field.

SLR Graz contributes a major part of SLR measurements to this project.

Further information on the ENVISAT mission is found at ESA.