Bremen – October 27, 2026 -- OHB, the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) and the University of Exeter have started a two-year study for the European Space Agency (ESA) to test whether current and future Earth observation systems can detect climate tipping points early.
EO4TIPP targets four tipping processes
The study, called EO4TIPP (Future Earth Observation Architecture for Monitoring Tipping Points), covers four processes: thawing permafrost, changes in the Amazon rainforest, a possible collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet, and a collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).
The partners will identify the observation data that matter most for each process and map existing gaps in coverage. They will then draw up recommendations for future Earth observation missions and monitoring services.
AWI delegation visits OHB in Bremen for project kickoff
The project start was discussed during a visit by new AWI director Dr. Hajo Eicken and a delegation of climate, polar and marine researchers to OHB's Bremen site. The partners exchanged views on current challenges in climate research and the role of modern Earth observation in tracking global change.
Dr. Stephan Holsten, head of Earth observation pre-development at OHB, said the analysis will determine which data are decisive for tipping point monitoring, where gaps remain, and how future architectures can be developed. OHB CEO Marco Fuchs said close ties between science and industry are essential to turn research findings into space solutions and strengthen European Earth observation.
OHB builds on existing Earth observation missions
OHB is prime contractor for the satellites of the Copernicus CO2M mission, which it develops and builds. It also works on Germany's EnMAP hyperspectral mission, which observes environmental and climate processes, and ESA's Harmony mission, designed to deliver new insights into the dynamics of oceans, ice surfaces and land.