Cost Effective Earth Observation Missions, October 2005, A. A. Balkema Publisher, a member of Taylor & Francis Group plc. Laiden, The Netherlands, 160 pages. Publication sponsored by DLR, Germany. Cost-effective missions can be achieved by using different approaches and methods. One of the possible approaches is taking full advantage of the ongoing technology developments leading to further miniaturization of engineering components, development of micro-technologies for sensors and instruments which allow designing dedicated, well-focused Earth observation missions. This Study provides a definition of cost-effective Earth observation missions, information about background material and organizational support, shows the cost drivers and how to achieve cost-effective missions, and provides a chapter dedicated to training and education. The focus is on the status quo and prospects of applications in the field of Earth observation.