In November, the European Space Agency launched three identical research satellites into separate orbits to provide scientists with unprecedented data about the Earth’s magnetic field, which shields the planet from cosmic radiation and harmful charged particles in the solar wind.

The four-year Swarm mission will beam back information about the sources of the field, why it seems to be weakening and what might be in store for our planet. On board each of the satellites is CEA-Leti’s absolute scalar magnetometer (ASM) technology; its ability to measure the magnetic field from three different locations and time zones is a central to the mission’s success.

Congratulations to Leti, which has been producing innovations that improve life on Earth for more than four decades.