The current science and research element of the European Space Agency’s Living Planet Programme, which focuses on spacecraft studies of Earth’s atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and interior, in part to monitor how human activities impact Earth’s natural processes. The missions are divided into two categories: ‘core’ missions, which use satellites to respond directly to specific areas of public concern; and ‘opportunity’ missions, which employ smaller, low-cost satellites to address areas of immediate environmental concern. To date there have been two core missions launched—GOCE and Aeolus—and three opportunity missions: SMOS, CryoSat, and Swarm.