European Remote-Sensing Satellite

[2] ERS-1 carried an array of Earth-observation instruments that gathered information about the Earth (land, water, ice, and atmosphere) using a variety of measurement principles.

The PRARE became non-operational shortly after launch; later analysis concluded that the failure was due to a memory latchup caused by radiation.

On 10 March 2000, ERS-1's attitude control system failed due to a gyroscope malfunction and its mission was officially declared finished.

The tape drive aboard failed on 22 June 2003, leaving the instruments operating only within visibility of a ground station.

After the tape drive failure additional ground stations were brought online to increase the data gathering abilities of the satellite.

The spacecraft was left in an orbit where it will reenter the Earth's atmosphere and safely disintegrate within 25 years, in accordance with international standards.